2023 F1 drivers and teams
The top F1 teams have chosen to stick rather than spin on drivers for the new season. But three rookies join the grid – and Fernando Alonso has gambled on green. We assess the key challenges for the class of ’23
Red Bull RB19
Dominated with Max Verstappen to score a world title double
Max Verstappen Car No 1 Age 25 Wins 35 Poles 20 2022 position 1st Aim in 2023 Simple: secure a hat-trick of F1 crowns |
Sergio Pérez Car No 11 Age 33 Wins 4 Poles 1 2022 position 3rd Aim in 2023 Win races when he can, do enough to keep his drive for ’24 |
Mercedes-AMG W14
Fallen champions will expect to hit back and attempt to depose Red Bull
Lewis Hamilton Car No 44 Age 38 Wins 103 Poles 103 2022 position 6th Aim in 2023 End the victory drought, then challenge for that eighth title |
George Russell Car No 63 Age 25 Wins 1 Poles 1 2022 position 4th Aim in 2023: Add more wins and make a first bid for an F1 world title |
Ferrari SF-23
Stay reliable, improve strategy calls and challenge for the titles
Charles Leclerc Car No 16 Age 25 Wins 5 Poles 18 2022 position 2nd Aim in 2023 Put last year firmly behind him and win his first F1 title |
Carlos Sainz Jr Car No 55 Age 28 Wins 1 Poles 3 2022 position 5th Aim in 2023 Beat his team-mate and step up as a true elite performer |
McLaren MCL60
Must show clear signs this can be a top team again after falling flat in 2022
Lando Norris Car No 4 Age 23 Podiums 6 Poles 1 2022 position 7th Aim in 2023 Keep that reputation flying high, see off his new team-mate |
Oscar Piastri Car No 81 Age 21 Best race finish N/A Best grid position N/A 2022 position N/A Aim in 2023 Make the F1 wait worth it, live up to the hype |
Alpine A523
Rise from fourth-best team to mix it with the top three, win races
Pierre Gasly Car No 10 Age 27 Wins 1 Best grid position 2 2022 position 14th Aim in 2023 Establish himself at his new team, beat his team-mate |
Esteban Ocon Car No 31 Age 26 Wins 1 Best grid position 3 2022 position 8th Aim in 2023 Beat his team-mate, score regular podium finishes |
AlphaTauri AT04
Improve on ninth in the standings, score points more often than missing
Nyck de Vries Car No 21 Age 28 Best race finish 9th Poles 8th 2022 position 21st Aim in 2023 Build on Monza debut and show what F1 has been missing |
Yuki Tsunoda Car No 22 Age 22 Best race finish 4th Best grid position 7th 2022 position 17th Aim in 2023 Prove conclusively he belongs in F1, beat his team-mate |
Aston Martin AMR23
Meet high expectations of owner and new driver, move up the order
Fernando Alonso Car No 14 Age 41 Wins 32 Poles 22 2022 position 9th Aim in 2023 Inspire and lead his new team, maintain high performance level |
Lance Stroll Car No 18 Age 24 Podiums 3 Poles 1 2022 position 15th Aim in 2023 Match the great Alonso and beat him whenever he can |
Williams FW45
Lift itself from the back and show signs of (yet another) revival
Alex Albon Car No 23 Age 26 Podiums 2 Best grid position 4 2022 position 19th Aim in 2023 Continue to grow as a team leader, score more heavily |
Logan Sargeant Car No 2 Age 22 Best race finish N/A Best grid position N/A 2022 position N/A Aim in 2023 Gain respect and prove he belongs in F1 |
Alfa Romeo C43
Under new leader Andreas Seidl, give Alfa name a decent send-off
Valtteri Bottas Car No 77 Age 33 Wins 10 Poles 20 2022 position 10th Aim in 2023 Score points more often and prove he still has something to offer |
Zhou Guanyu Car No 24 Age 23 Best race finish 8th Best grid position 9th 2022 position 18th Aim in 2023 Consolidate decent rookie campaign, beat his team-mate |
Haas VF-23
Make the most of experienced driver line-up to climb the standings
Kevin Magnussen Car No 20 Age 30 Podiums 1 Poles 1 2022 position 13th Aim in 2023 Beat his team-mate, keep his drive for 2024 |
Nico Hulkenberg Car No 27 Age 35 Best race finish 4th Poles 1 2022 position 22nd Aim in 2023 Same as above! He’s back. Now he must deliver. |