Formula One in 2023 will indeed be remembered for a variety of reasons, which include the tension between the FIA and Liberty Media, iconic races like Las Vegas and the resurgence of teams at the top of the grid. However, the most notable aspect of 2023 is undoubtedly the incredible individual performance of a driver in a single season.
Max Verstappen has solidified his place as one of the greatest drivers in Formula One history with his outstanding achievements in 2023. The 26-year-old set a new record for the most wins in a single season, claiming victory in an astonishing 19 out of 22 races. He also led a thousand laps, a feat that had never been accomplished in a single season. Verstappen’s dominance was further highlighted by a run of 10 consecutive race wins and a third straight championship title with a record points margin of 290 over his teammate Sergio Perez.
While some may attribute Verstappen’s success to the performance of the RB19 car, the impressive performances of his teammate Perez contradict this theory. Perez won two of the first four races of the season before facing speculation about his future with the team.
The 2023 season also showcased the struggles of other competing teams. Mercedes, despite finishing second behind Red Bull, faced ongoing car deficiencies, while Ferrari’s faster car on paper was plagued by poor reliability and operational issues under new team boss Fred Vasseur.
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton had one of his best seasons, relying on consistency to outperform his teammate George Russell. McLaren and Aston Martin experienced contrasting fortunes, with McLaren’s resurgence as a front-running contender and the meteoric rise of Aston Martin from seventh place the previous year.
Furthermore, there were leadership changes and internal turmoil at teams like Alpine, Williams, and AlphaTauri, as well as the struggles of drivers such as Logan Sargeant and Nyck De Vries.
Overall, the 2023 Formula One season was filled with excitement, discussion, and intrigue. It left fans eager for the next racing season and wondering what will unfold in the future.