Nothing gets the heat burning like the racing motorsport Formula One. Last season had worldwide fans on the edge of their seats – with the painful end for Mercedes going winless since 2011 but delivering George Russell to his first race win to Kevin Magnussen securing racing gains for the 2022 season.
Moreover, the 2023 season will surprise us no less as it kicks off this March, adds a new Las Vegas Grand Prix, and wraps up the event in Abu Dhabi in November. These will surely be action-packed eight months with the fight for the drivers’ and constructors’ winners and even struggles between teammates. Thus, here are what you could expect as the racing takes place:
Alpine and McLaren Show-Off
You can expect Alpine and McLaren to make big moves this season, especially since they’re looking for higher aspirations than placing fourth in the standings. You’re sure to hand onto your seat for these midfield leaders as these two names will fight toe-to-toe for the next 23 rounds.
Moreover, although Alpine is a new name to Formula One, it has plenty of racing motorsport heritage since Renault rebranded it. This team also outperformed McLaren in the final standings last year, and it faces the 2023 season with Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon in their roster– forming an all-French driver line-up.
Although McLaren came in fifth in the final standings of the 2022 Constructors’ Championship, there is no denying the fight they will deliver against Alpine. Such a show-off will intensify as Oscar Piastri begins his rookie career under McLaren after leaving Alpine.
Moreover, the two teams ended last year’s season with only 14 points away. With this, be sure to look out for the heated pair in this year’s F1 races as these two teams will go neck-and-neck. This year, you will see another round of show-off racing action on the track.
Gasly and Ocon Feud
As Alpine welcomes Pierre Gasly, so do talks of a feud between Gasly and Esteban Ocon take place. The pair grew up karting together, which sparked an on-track rivalry as they made their way into Formula One’s racetrack and made big names for themselves. With this, their rivalry intensified as they became single-seaters on the track, especially now as they race for Alpine.
This intra-team rivalry made big headlines, especially since these two Frenchmen came up from the junior ranks together (once best friends now turned into rivals.) However, this whole feud was more likened to a sibling dispute rather than a rivalry. Gasly even explained in his end-of-the-season interview that their feud was vastly overblown and a little exaggerated.
Gasly and Odon were also seen off-track together ever since Alpine added Gasly to the line-up. The pair and Charles Leclerc went to see the NBA showdown between the Chicago Bulls and Detroit Pistons in Paris.
Alfa and Aston’s Close Battle
It’s a wild ride, especially for two teams to end the 2022 season with the same total points of 55. Last season, Alfa Romeo started 2022 well, and it only went uphill as the team improved in the second half of the season.
This year, Alfa Romeo will be led by the ten-time Formula One winner, Valtteri Botta. Zhou Guanyu will join the proven race winner, the first driver from China to race the Formula One. With this, Alfa Romeo will be sharper than they were last year.
On the other hand, Aston Martin will bring their A-game and compete this season. The team has primarily recruited Fernando Alonso, a pro racer with a successful 32-record win and 98 podiums (a win given to the top three of the race.) Not only this but the two-time champion, Lance Stroll, will also join Alonso. For sure, Aston Martin is rekindling its fire as this season makes its way.
As the two teams finished with the same points last year, who can say what will happen this season? Perhaps you’re in for another midfield melee or a solid and secure start from both teams.
Hulkenberg and Magnussen Season Link Up
Although Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen once came head-to-head and even clashed with a verbal exchange at the 2017 Hungarian Grand Prix, you will see them as teammates at Haas this year. Back then, their clash happened when Hulkenberg was then racing for Renault, and Magnussen was at Haas in his first year.
However, as these two greet the 2023 season on the same team, Magnussen has played down the incident, and both have joked about the incident as a wild experience. They both even had a rapprochement, and all the tension was due to the media built-up.
This season, be prepared to look for Haas as the 181-start record holder, Nico Hulkenberg, joins podium winner Kevin Magnussen. Moreover, these two drivers will be significant assets for Haas to take a step forward in this year’s standings.
Final Thoughts
Whether it be a constructors’ show-off or a teammate rivalry, Formula One offers nothing less each year. With this, keep yourself updated on the latest racing news, enjoy the game throughout the year, and watch as drivers and constructors battle for the top seat!
