Breaking Down the 2023 Formula 1 Season: Teams, Drivers, and Predictions
True to its name and spirit, the 2023 F1 season is off to a fast start. We’re a handful of races into the season with the best yet to come, meaning fans have plenty of opportunities to get their hands on Formula 1 tickets. Of course, there is a lot to unpack with everything that has changed since last season, everything that has happened thus far in 2023, and everything that lies ahead. With that in mind, let’s break down everything you need to know about the 2023 Formula season.
The Basics
For F1 novices, the sport is not nearly as complicated as you might think. During the 2023 season, there will be 23 different races taking place in 20 different countries. That’s a lot of travel for the drivers, although there are only 20 drivers for fans to get to know. Those 20 drivers are split among ten different constructor teams with familiar names like Mercedes, McLaren, Red Bull Racing, Ferrari, and others. In other words, there are ten teams, 20 drivers, and 23 races.
Driver Changes
Of those 10 teams, four have kept the same two drivers as they had last season, but that means there were some shake-ups with the other six teams. Notably, former F2 and F3 champion Oscar Piastri, a native of Australia, has joined the McLaren-Mercdes team. Another notable newcomer is Dutch driver Nyck de Vries, who finds himself on the AlphaTauri-Honda RBPT team. Meanwhile, AlphaTauri lost Pierre Gasly, who is now on the Alpine-Renault team. He replaces Fernando Alonso, who left Alpine and is now racing for Aston Martin.
American Driver
F1 fans in the U.S. may want to pay particular attention to the Williams racing team. That’s because they will have an American driver, as Logan Sargeant is joining the team this year. Sargeant finished fourth and took home Rookie of the Year honors in F2 last season, showing that he’s ready for the challenge that F1 offers. The Florida native is just 22 years old but will be competing on the same tracks as the best drivers in the world. More importantly, he’ll be the first American in F1 since Alexander Rossi participated in five races in 2015.
Red Bull Setting the Pace
There is no doubt that all eyes will be on the Red Bull Racing team in 2023. Red Bull was the constructors’ champion in 2022, with main driver Max Verstappen being the drivers’ champion for the next straight season. Of course, Red Bull’s other driver Sergio Perez is no slouch behind the wheel either, joining Verstappen to form the premier duo in the sport. While there is still competition from the likes of Ferrari and Mercedes, the pre-season testing indicated that Red Bull is still a step ahead of the pack.
The First Five
If there was any doubt that Red Bull is the elite constructor in F1 right now, those questions were answered following the first handful of races of the season. The tandem of Verstappen and Perez won each of the first five races of the season, making Red Bull Racing the winning constructor of all five races. For the record, Verstappen won races in Bahrain, Australia, and Miami, while Perez took the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. But no matter how you slice it, that tandem and Red Bull Racing are off to a dominant start in 2023.
Top Races on the Schedule
Even with five races already in the books, there are tons of great races left in the 2023 Formula 1 season. As always, the Belgian Grand Prix in late July is a big event, especially since it’s the longest track drivers will face this year. Another notable race is the Canadian Grand Prix from June 16 to 18. For whatever reason, the track in Montreal always produces close races.
There’s nothing quite like mixing racing with Italy, making the Italian Grand Prix in early September a big event. The track in Monza is iconic and always seems to bring out the best in drivers. Meanwhile, one of the fastest races on the calendar might be the Australian Grand Prix from June 30 to July 2. But don’t sleep on the British Grand Prix in July. After all, Britain is the birthplace of Formula 1 and also provided the best race of the 2022 campaign.
Of course, American F1 fans always get excited for the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in October. This is one of the most popular races on the circuit, attracting roughly half a million people over the course of the weekend. Finally, the 2023 season comes to an end with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, a race that Max Verstappen has won in three consecutive seasons.
See You in Las Vegas
For American F1 fans, in particular, the penultimate race of the season might be the most compelling. That will be the first-ever Las Vegas Grand Prix, which is set to take place on November 18. Nobody knows exactly what to make of this race, as it breaks F1 tradition by taking place on a Saturday rather than a Sunday. It will also be held at night on a temporary track that will take drivers along the famous Las Vegas Strip. One way or another, this will be a historic race in F1 history. Since it’s also the penultimate race of the season, it could end up having a huge impact on the winner of the 2023 F1 season.
Predictions!
So, who will win the 2023 Formula 1 season when all is said and done? Based on the early part of the season, Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez already have a step up on the competition. Barring something unforeseen, that seems unlikely to change. In the end, we expect Verstappen and Red Bull Racing to both repeat as champions in 2023.