With 23 Grands Prix scheduled to take place in 20 countries, the 2023 season will be the longest in Formula 1 history. The 2023 season kicked off on 5th March with the Bahrain GP, which was won by Max Verstappen. The event attracted over 99,500 spectators across the weekend - the largest attendance in its 19-year history.
This year will see the return of several Grand Prix, as well as the launch of new circuits. Many new regulations have been introduced, along with significant reshuffles across teams. Moreover, Max Verstappen, the reigning World Drivers' Champion, will be gunning for his third consecutive title, while his team Red Bull Racing-Honda RBPT is looking to win the Constructors' Champion title again.
Whether you're an avid F1 fan or new to the sport, here's your definitive guide to what to look out for in the 2023 season.
This year will see the return of several Grand Prix, as well as the launch of new circuits. Many new regulations have been introduced, along with significant reshuffles across teams. Moreover, Max Verstappen, the reigning World Drivers' Champion, will be gunning for his third consecutive title, while his team Red Bull Racing-Honda RBPT is looking to win the Constructors' Champion title again.
Whether you're an avid F1 fan or new to the sport, here's your definitive guide to what to look out for in the 2023 season.
Circuit Guide
The 2023 Formula One season is expected to have 23 races in total, opening with the Bahrain GP from 5th March onwards and ending with the Abu Dhabi GP in November.
Originally scheduled to have 24 events, the calendar saw the Chinese GP cancelled for the fourth consecutive year. Several tweaks have also been made to the F1 calendar; the Azerbaijan GP, originally held in June, will be hosted in April, while the Belgium GP, traditionally held in late August, has been moved to July. Moreover, the French GP will not take place this year, but its organizers are aiming to host it from 2024 onwards by sharing its slot with other events.
F1 enthusiasts in the US are in for a treat, with the country scheduled to host three Grand Prix tournaments this year. First comes the Miami GP in May, followed by the USA GP in Austin in October and, finally, the Las Vegas GP, which will make its debut this year.
The 2023 season will also see the return of the Qatar GP in early October, last held in 2021. It joins the list of sprint events with the Austrian, Azerbaijan, Belgian, São Paulo, and United States Grands Prix.
The 2023 Formula One season is expected to have 23 races in total, opening with the Bahrain GP from 5th March onwards and ending with the Abu Dhabi GP in November.
Originally scheduled to have 24 events, the calendar saw the Chinese GP cancelled for the fourth consecutive year. Several tweaks have also been made to the F1 calendar; the Azerbaijan GP, originally held in June, will be hosted in April, while the Belgium GP, traditionally held in late August, has been moved to July. Moreover, the French GP will not take place this year, but its organizers are aiming to host it from 2024 onwards by sharing its slot with other events.
F1 enthusiasts in the US are in for a treat, with the country scheduled to host three Grand Prix tournaments this year. First comes the Miami GP in May, followed by the USA GP in Austin in October and, finally, the Las Vegas GP, which will make its debut this year.
The 2023 season will also see the return of the Qatar GP in early October, last held in 2021. It joins the list of sprint events with the Austrian, Azerbaijan, Belgian, São Paulo, and United States Grands Prix.
Parties To Look Forward To
Is an F1 event really an F1 event without parties? Here are the most important F1 parties you definitely shouldn't miss.
Amber Lounge Grand Prix Packages
Considered one of the most exclusive F1 parties, the Amber Lounge Grand Prix is hosted during the Monaco and Singapore GPs and will now be launched for the Abu Dhabi GP. This is a one-of-a-kind destination, boasting celebrity yachts, private and shared suites, terraces, personalized jet transfers, and luxury accommodation.
Is an F1 event really an F1 event without parties? Here are the most important F1 parties you definitely shouldn't miss.
Amber Lounge Grand Prix Packages
Considered one of the most exclusive F1 parties, the Amber Lounge Grand Prix is hosted during the Monaco and Singapore GPs and will now be launched for the Abu Dhabi GP. This is a one-of-a-kind destination, boasting celebrity yachts, private and shared suites, terraces, personalized jet transfers, and luxury accommodation.
SUNSET
If you're attending the Monaco GP, this is one event you cannot miss. SUNSET is a beach party hosted between 5th-7th May 2023 in Miami and 26th-28th May 2023 on the private beach of Le Méridien Beach Plaza in Monaco. This year, the legendary party celebrates its 10th anniversary. Here, you can expect an impressive lineup of music artists and theatrical shows.
If you're attending the Monaco GP, this is one event you cannot miss. SUNSET is a beach party hosted between 5th-7th May 2023 in Miami and 26th-28th May 2023 on the private beach of Le Méridien Beach Plaza in Monaco. This year, the legendary party celebrates its 10th anniversary. Here, you can expect an impressive lineup of music artists and theatrical shows.
Miami Race Nights
When it comes to parties, the Miami GP is not far behind. It's known for organizing various star-studded events across the city, one of them being the Miami Race Nights. Hosted at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach, the Race Nights include live concerts, with stars such as Calvin Harris, David Guetta, Morten, Plastik Funk, and Loud Luxury having graced the event with their presence in the past. To secure a spot, you can pay $300 for general admission, while VIP packages start from $5000 onwards.
When it comes to parties, the Miami GP is not far behind. It's known for organizing various star-studded events across the city, one of them being the Miami Race Nights. Hosted at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach, the Race Nights include live concerts, with stars such as Calvin Harris, David Guetta, Morten, Plastik Funk, and Loud Luxury having graced the event with their presence in the past. To secure a spot, you can pay $300 for general admission, while VIP packages start from $5000 onwards.
New Rules and Changes
This season promises a multitude of new regulations, as well as the launch of new cars and team reshuffles. Let's take a look at them!
Following Zhou Ganyu's crash during the British GP in 2022, the 2023 Technical Regulations require a rounded top on the roll hoop. This aims to reduce the probability of it digging into the ground in the event of an accident and ensure a minimum height for the point of application of the homologation test.
Teams now have more leverage to cool fuel in their cars. Starting in 2023, cars cannot have fuel colder than 10 degrees Celsius below the ambient temperature or 10 degrees Celsius any time after the car has left the garage area.
The weight of all cars has been reduced by 2 kilograms from the 798kg limit to 796kg without fuel.
For all events that include sprints, the accident allowance has been fixed for each participating team. Furthermore, the forfeit allowance amount for every sprint has been increased to $300,000, while all other damage-related allowances have been removed.
Adjustments have also been made to diffusers and ride heights. Floor edges have been elevated by 15mm, while diffuser edge stiffness has been increased to monitor porpoising more effectively.
This season promises a multitude of new regulations, as well as the launch of new cars and team reshuffles. Let's take a look at them!
Following Zhou Ganyu's crash during the British GP in 2022, the 2023 Technical Regulations require a rounded top on the roll hoop. This aims to reduce the probability of it digging into the ground in the event of an accident and ensure a minimum height for the point of application of the homologation test.
Teams now have more leverage to cool fuel in their cars. Starting in 2023, cars cannot have fuel colder than 10 degrees Celsius below the ambient temperature or 10 degrees Celsius any time after the car has left the garage area.
The weight of all cars has been reduced by 2 kilograms from the 798kg limit to 796kg without fuel.
For all events that include sprints, the accident allowance has been fixed for each participating team. Furthermore, the forfeit allowance amount for every sprint has been increased to $300,000, while all other damage-related allowances have been removed.
Adjustments have also been made to diffusers and ride heights. Floor edges have been elevated by 15mm, while diffuser edge stiffness has been increased to monitor porpoising more effectively.
Player Lineups
Besides Red Bull, Mercedes, and Ferrari, all other teams have undergone major player reshuffles.
Following Sebastian Vettel's retirement, Fernando Alonso has moved from Aston Martin to Lance Stroll.
After the ousting of Daniel Ricciardo, Oscar Piastri has been inducted into McLaren, while Alpine bought Pierre Gasly from AlphaTauri for an all-French lineup with Esteban Ocon.
Here is the complete list of teams and drivers for this season:
Williams: Alexander Albon and Logan Sargeant
Besides Red Bull, Mercedes, and Ferrari, all other teams have undergone major player reshuffles.
Following Sebastian Vettel's retirement, Fernando Alonso has moved from Aston Martin to Lance Stroll.
After the ousting of Daniel Ricciardo, Oscar Piastri has been inducted into McLaren, while Alpine bought Pierre Gasly from AlphaTauri for an all-French lineup with Esteban Ocon.
Here is the complete list of teams and drivers for this season:
- Red Bull: Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez
- Ferrari: Carlos Sainz Jr and Charles Leclerc
- Mercedes: George Russell and Lewis Hamilton
- Alpine: Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly
- McLaren: Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri
- Alfa Romeo: Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu
- Aston Martin: Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll
- Haas: Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenburg
- AlphaTauri: Nyck de Vries and Yuki Tsunoda
Williams: Alexander Albon and Logan Sargeant
New Cars
Red Bull has launched the RB19, which uses a hybrid powertrain developed by Honda and Red Bull themselves.
Aston Martin has introduced the AMR23, which boasts upgraded aerodynamics and new side pods for improved airflow and engine function.
Scuderia Ferrari has revealed their SF-23 racing car, which includes redesigned suspension and changes to the front wing and nose.
Mercedes' new W14 sports an all-black livery along with a pod design that is more aerodynamic and has a more streamlined rear end.
Red Bull has launched the RB19, which uses a hybrid powertrain developed by Honda and Red Bull themselves.
Aston Martin has introduced the AMR23, which boasts upgraded aerodynamics and new side pods for improved airflow and engine function.
Scuderia Ferrari has revealed their SF-23 racing car, which includes redesigned suspension and changes to the front wing and nose.
Mercedes' new W14 sports an all-black livery along with a pod design that is more aerodynamic and has a more streamlined rear end.
Fun Facts About F1 You Should Know
The Monaco GP is the only event that is held on the streets of the Principality of Monaco rather than on a race track. It's also the shortest of all F1 tracks, with a length of 260.286km; the FIA mandate is 305km.
The Jeddah Corniche in Saudi Arabia is said to be the most dangerous and fastest of all F1 tracks, with cars clocking a huge 257km per hour.
Teams participating in F1 run on a single tank of gas for the entire race. The FIA banned mid-race refueling from 2009 onwards.
Every F1 car is estimated to have a value of over $7 million.
Valtteri Bottas of Finland is said to have recorded the highest speed in an F1 event, racing over 372.5km per hour at the 2016 Mexican GP.
The Monaco GP is the only event that is held on the streets of the Principality of Monaco rather than on a race track. It's also the shortest of all F1 tracks, with a length of 260.286km; the FIA mandate is 305km.
The Jeddah Corniche in Saudi Arabia is said to be the most dangerous and fastest of all F1 tracks, with cars clocking a huge 257km per hour.
Teams participating in F1 run on a single tank of gas for the entire race. The FIA banned mid-race refueling from 2009 onwards.
Every F1 car is estimated to have a value of over $7 million.
Valtteri Bottas of Finland is said to have recorded the highest speed in an F1 event, racing over 372.5km per hour at the 2016 Mexican GP.
In recent years, F1 has gained momentum to become one of the most-watched sports globally. The Monaco GP deserves special attention. Launched in 1950, the event will celebrate its 80th anniversary this year. Dutch-Belgian racing driver Max Verstappen, representing the Red Bull team, emerges as the victor of 2023. As the year progresses, we await with anticipation to witness whether this exceptional pilot can secure his third Formula One World Championship title.
