Top 5 F1 races in 2023
2nd January 20242023 is done and dusted and the 2024 season is just around the corner. Max Verstappen and Red Bull are the world champions, the team secured their first 1-2 finish in the drivers standings and Oscar Piastri excelled in his rookie season.
Here are my top five races in a season dominated by the three-time world champion and his team.
*** DISCLAIMER: Understandably, this article is down to opinion and you may not agree. ***
*** That being said, should you disagree: what are your top five races of 2023? ***
5) Silverstone
In a season where it looked as if Red Bull might build up an incredible season to secure a clean sweep of wins, McLaren looked likely to end Red Bull’s dominance. It looked set to be a tasty treat in a season dominated by a single team.
While there was a slim chance this would be true, McLaren was within a shout after Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri secured second place and third place on the grid. This was soon turned into the lead at the race start as Norris edged out in the lead, and Piastri nearly took second place had it not been a sturdy defence from Verstappen.
In the end, McLaren was not able to stop Red Bull and Verstappen but they were just out of a double-podium. The only other interesting aspect of the race was Kevin Magnussen’s retirement when his Haas failed on him.
4) Las Vegas
This race was hyped up endlessly throughout the season and, despite a few hiccups at the start, it turned out to be a decent race. The usual winners were at the front, Verstappen and Red Bull, and there was a battle for the final podium places up until the chequered flag.
Carnage ensued at the start. Verstappen was soon given a time penalty for overtaking Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc off the circuit. Norris dramatically exited as he lost control of his MCL-60 and skidded off into the barrier at turn 12. However, the iconic Las Vegas Strip was where the action was at, numerous overtakes down the field were completed at this section of the circuit.
More noticeably, Verstappen fought his way through the lead, after serving his penalty, overtook his teammate Sergio Perez and Leclerc as the Dutchman worked his way back into the lead. The most dramatic moment came at the end of the race where Perez looked set to seal a 1-2 finish for Red Bull.
However, a late lunge at the final hard braking zone by Leclerc created a memorable moment as he snatched a second away from the Mexican, splitting the two Red Bulls at the chequered flag.
3) Australia
In one of the first races of the season, the Melbourne race was not a friendly one for the UK viewers – in terms of viewing time – but understandably gives the Oceanic spectators some respite. However, the carnage that followed made up for the early wake-up time for viewers in the western parts of the world.
A total of three red flags impacted the race. First, there was Williams’ Alexander Albon crashed out at turn six/seven, on lap seven. Then there was Magnussen’s crash, resulting in a loss in a Pirelli tyre and debris on lap 53.
In what seemed to be a two-lap shootout to the end, the third and final red flag was brought out – and ultimately ended the race – as a result of several crashes at the restart. The race ended with an underwhelming parade to the finish. Chaotic and controversial would be two words to describe this grand prix.
2) Singapore
Singapore was a treat for the F1 fan as it was the only race where a Red Bull did not win. Whilst Red Bull struggled to get to grips with their machinery around the streets of the Marina Bay Street Circuit, tyre strategy and DRS tactics played a massive part in determining the winner.
Unfortunately for Leclerc, he was the guinea pig as Ferrari looked to sacrifice his race to give Carlos Sainz the best chance to win the race. This minimised the opportunity for those behind to pit and benefit from an undercut, leaving strategists and fans to ponder pit strategies.
Esteban Ocon’s retirement, on lap 43, allowed both Mercedes to pit – as both Sainz and Norris continued – to swap over to an aggressive medium tyre sprint to win the race. However, Sainz’s racecraft and intellect won out as he utilised Norris behind him by giving the McLaren DRS yet remaining far enough ahead not to be overtaken, protecting him from the two charging Mercedes.
This – itself – was the prime factor in Sainz’s victory.
In addition, it was a superb showing by Liam Lawson – who replaced the injured Daniel Ricciardo – as the young Kiwi was the one to knock out Verstappen in Q2. Not to forget, he scored his maiden championship points with a ninth-place finish.
1) Zandvoort
Now this. This was a chaotic and eventful race where rain heavily impacted the running order. Ahead of the race, rain was forecasted to arrive and on the opening lap, it came. Some drivers peeled into the pits for intermediates. Ferrari also did a Ferrari thing and they weren’t ready with the tyres when Leclerc pulled into the pit lane for inters.
As the race continued, the weather changed once more and the track dried out. But it would turn once more but worse, as the rain poured onto the circuit, flooding turn one which made it tricky for the drivers to navigate. Many drivers found themselves aquaplaning off the circuit until Alfa Romeo’s Guanyu Zhou buried himself into the barrier resulting in a red flag as a result of the conditions and crash.
When the weather went away, the race understandably continued in an uneventful manner as Verstappen cruised his way towards his third, consecutive home win. This was a race filled with action and complicated pit strategy amid changing conditions.
This race will stand as my top race of 2023.
That’s all for the article; Top 5 F1 races in 2023!
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