Top 5 | The best comeback races of the 2022 F1 season

In this week's top five, we look back at the very best comeback races of the 2022 Formula 1 season. Apart from Max Verstappen, who else was able to impressively make their way through the field?

5. Alex Albon, Australian GP

Alexander Albon proved shortly after his return to F1 that he fully deserved the spot at Williams. After being disqualified on Saturday because the FIA could not take a fuel sample, the Thai driver drove an impressive comeback race from the last starting position. Albon drove almost the entire race on the same set of hards and only came in on the last lap to change to softs. It earned him tenth place and thus a point.

4. Carlos Sainz, Italian GP

The Italian Grand Prix was initially characterised by numerous grid penalties, which even the FIA didn't know how to handle. Jokingly, drivers asked if anyone knew which position they were supposed to start from. Carlos Sainz was one of the drivers who had to start at the back due to an engine change. From 18th position however, the Ferrari driver was soon on course for a points finish and drove towards fourth place in the closing stages of the race, narrowly missing out on a podium finish.

3. Fernando Alonso, Brazilian GP

The race weekend in Brazil did not start ideally for Alpine, which saw drivers Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon clash during the sprint race. As a result, Alonso had to start from 17th place, but that did not stop the two-time world champion from getting the maximum result. He managed to stay out of the scuffle at the start and quickly found his way to the front, before taking over fifth place from Sergio Perez in the final phase of the race.

2. Max Verstappen, Hungarian GP

The Hungarian Grand Prix was supposed to be Ferrari's ultimate chance to catch up with Red Bull Racing, but things turned out differently. Max Verstappen started from tenth on the Hungaroring, where overtaking is normally difficult. With the new 2022 F1 cars, it turned out to be possible, as Verstappen proved in a superb comeback race. The 360-degree spin after overtaking Charles Leclerc - only to lose the spot and then regain it once more - was the icing on the cake.

1. Max Verstappen, Belgian GP

There is little doubt about the most awe-inspiring comeback race in the 2022 F1 season. Several drivers already expressed the expectation that a fourteenth starting position would not stop Verstappen from leading within a few laps. That prediction came true: by the twelfth lap of the race (including several laps behind the safety car), the Dutchman had taken the lead and he did not relinquish it. Afterwards, even Verstappen acknowledged that he probably could have won the race from any position.