F1 is finally back and I'm on the edge of my seat waiting to see how the new driver pairings get along. It is said in F1, that your teammate is your biggest rival. 

Considering the only other driver on track with the same car is your teammate, I can see why the competition gets heated. While some rivalries turn into off-track friendships, others result in calamitous clashes (see. Senna v. Prost, Mclaren 1988-89)

In any case, I can’t wait to see how the teams gel this year. Who will clash? Who will come out on top? Will there be new bromances to rival “Car-Lando”? All I know is that with only four teams racing together from last year's grid, there's plenty to keep an eye on this season.

Here’s some of what I’m looking forward to in the 2023 Formula 1 season:

 

The French Correction? Alpine 

Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly 

French team Alpine has brought together two French drivers Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly. They’ve known each other since childhood but there are rumors that they didn’t always get along. Have they matured enough to put the past behind them or will they fiercely compete to claim the #1 driver position?

Papaya Piasco! McLaren

Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri

McLaren’s team has Lando Norris returning after besting his previous teammate and everyone’s fave honey badger, Daniel Ricciardo, to firmly call himself #1 driver. He will be joined by Oscar Piastri, coincidentally also from Australia, who won F3 and F2 Championships back to back. Two young drivers, under pressure, trying to prove themselves….could be SPICY???

 

 

Who’s on First? Alpha Tauri

Yuki Tsunoda and Nyck de Vries

Although Yuki is entering his 3rd season in Formula One, he is still a relatively young driver at just 22 years old. In contrast, Nyck is an "older rookie" at 28, but has already established himself as a world champion in both F2 and Formula E, and impressed with his debut performance as a substitute driver for Williams filling in for Alex Albon during his bout of appendicitis. As a big fan of Yuki's driving abilities, I'm keen to see how his fiery personality will mesh with Nyck's experience and success. It remains to be seen who will emerge as the leader of the team, but it's worth keeping an eye on.

 

 

Nice Guys Finish Last? Williams Racing

Alex Albon and Logan Sargeant

Alex Albon has had a rollercoaster career in F1 but has found stability on the Williams team. He will be joined by Florida man Logan Sargeant who is a rookie and the first American F1 driver in 15 years. Alex has shown he’s an all-around nice guy who has a whole zoo of animals he loves and is active with kid's charities – so it’s hard to see him not setting a great example for Logan. Then again, we don’t know much about this new rookie and both drivers will be under pressure to move the Williams team up from last place.

 

Check Your Mirrors! Aston Martin

Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso

No rookies here but with the age difference there is potential for two-time champion Fernando Alonso to share some of his experience with the younger Stroll. Or not. These two have had some dustups in the past so I’m interested to see if they develop a harmonious working relationship or not.  And we know Alonso has a BIG personality and is a demanding competitor.  Can’t wait to see how this dynamic unfolds on the track.

 

First Race of the Year is at Sakhir,

the Bahrain Grand Prix.

DID YOU KNOW?

The official lap record at the Bahrain Grand Prix has not been touched since 2005 when Pedro de la Rosa 🇪🇸 set it while filling in for Juan Pablo Montoya 🇨🇴, in a McLaren!  Incredible!

Question is, will the record continue to stand strong or will it be broken this year???

 

  

2023 Calendar of F1 Races!

Print it out and post it on the fridge, or save it on your phone. We have 23 races this year and I’m excited for all of them! Including a new one (Vegas Baby!) and my home race (Miami GP year 2!).

 

 

What are you looking forward to the most?

Let me know in the comments! You know I’d love to hear it.