Cole's Commentary: Reviewing the 2023 F1 Season
- Nicole Nolte
- Dec 14, 2023
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 6
And just like that, the checkered flag has fallen on the 2023 F1 season...
Max Verstappen's coronation as a three-time world champion and Red Bull's sixth world title have etched their names into racing history. As we reflect on the season, it's evident that this wasn't your classic F1 showdown…
From the get-go, Red Bull's dominance was crystal clear, with Max Verstappen clinching the title well before the season's end and setting multiple records that might echo through F1 history. But what are the real takeaways from the 2023 season? Who shone brightly, and who faded into the background?
Driver of the Season:
No surprises here – Max Verstappen claims this title - almost as effortlessly as he grabbed the '23 Driver Champion Title. With 19 wins and a staggering 575 points, Verstappen reigns supreme on the F1 grid.
Team of the Season:
Once again, Red Bull stands tall as the undisputed team of the season (shocker), winning 21 out of 22 races. Their achievement, particularly with less development time, positions them as formidable contenders for the upcoming season.
Biggest Surprise (Driver):
Alex Albon was the unexpected star of the 2023 season, for me. Transitioning from a solid performer to a team leader at Williams, Albon's metamorphosis deserves a hearty round of applause, making him a potential game-changer for Williams.
Biggest Surprise (Team):
While Aston Martin hinted at a promising start, McLaren stole the spotlight. McLaren's resurgence showcased the power of strategic decisions and effective in-season improvements.
Biggest Disappointment (Driver):
George Russell endured a challenging season, losing podium opportunities due to misfortune or errors. 2023 was definitely a season of learning for Russell, leaving him poised for redemption.
Biggest Disappointment (Team):
Alpine, the 'French Ferrari,' experienced a tumultuous journey, falling to sixth in the championship. Alpine's struggles highlighted the unforgiving nature of F1 and the challenges faced even by established teams.
Biggest Shock of the Season:
The Honey Badger waltzing back into the F1 scene with AlphaTauri in Hungary was DEFINITELY not on my 2023 F1 Bingo card. In a surprise return that caught everyone off guard, Danny Ric showed us that in F1, we can always expect the unexpected.
You didn’t ask, but here, have my opinions on all the teams ;)
The Formula One world is taking a (well deserved) few months off as the focus shifts to 2024 (check out the calendar here). Here’s a lil Team-by-Team season analysis for you to enjoy while you miss the rich guys driving in weird circles:
Red Bull seems to be the team to beat in 2024, as their near-flawless performance leaves little room for doubt about their continued success. It is VERY rare at the top of elite sport for a team to perform as flawlessly as Red Bull did in the 2023 Formula 1 season - they demolished the opposition with a scale of dominance quite literally NEVER seen before and Red Bull's winning 21 of the 22 races is one of the greatest achievements in Grand Prix racing, even though it did make the season a bit tedious to watch - even as a long term RB fangirl.
Despite difficulties and admitting conceptual mistakes, Mercedes managed to secure second place in the constructors' championship and Lewis Hamilton's contract extension sets the stage for a renewed challenge in 2024. I think we all expected more from him and George this season tbh.
Ferrari's victory at the Singapore Grand Prix showcased their potentia - no doubt. A bit more stability under the leadership of their new team principal Fred Vasseur positions them as contenders for the upcoming season - if they can get a grip on their strategy (amirite ladies).
McLaren's impressive transformation, led by Lando Norris, turned a dreadful start into a series of second-place finishes. A revamped car and effective in-season improvements bode well for their future challenges. Oscar Piastri had arguably one of the best rookie seasons in a while, and he is DEFINITELY a driver to keep an eye on in the future.
Aston Martin's early promise faded, with Fernando Alonso shining amid struggles (I honestly wholeheartedly thought we were getting another Alonso WDC when the season started, but alas). Despite the disappointment, stability and a significant investment provide reasons for optimism in the seasons to come (but let's not get our hopes up again).
Inconsistencies PLAGUED the French team throughout the season, worse than the bedbugs plagued Paris this year, but a late-season investment and promising driver lineup definitely offer a hint of hope for a stronger performance in the future. Maaaaaybe. You can never be too sure with them, I've learned.
Williams achieved its best placing since 2017, with Alex Albon contributing significantly (like, he needs a chiropractor after carrying the team on his back this whole season, tbh. Personally idk what Logan was DOING. Former Mercedes man James Vowles' leadership also promises a brighter future for the team. #ItsJames (hehe)
As AlphaTauri transitions under the Red Bull racing umbrella, a new boss and a promising driver lineup set the stage for potential improvements. Their new name, however, "Racing Bulls" definitely gives me the ick. And... we won't talk about this year's de Vries dilemma.
Undergoing a name change for 2024, Alfa Romeo scored occasional points but didn't do anything really impressive. However, stability with Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu positions them for incremental progress in future.
Early-season optimism waned for Haas, with them finishing at the bottom of the constructors' championship ranks ( and letting my fantasy league down on many occasions :/ )
All-in-all, the 2023 F1 season may not have been a nail-biter, but the narratives woven by these drivers and teams were surely something. Here's to the twists and turns, surprises, and shocks – until it’s lights out and away we go again (hopefully the time flies by - respectfully, I’m losing my mind - send help pls).
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