Mercedes at the top, confusion at RedBull, changes at Ferrari… What awaits 2023?

What was supposed to be a revolutionary season ended up being dominated by Max Verstappen and his RedBull team. The 2022 Formula 1 season ends this weekend at the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi, and unlike last season’s incredible finale, we already know the champions. There remains some risk for second places in the classification of pilots or constructors, but a little more. However, with the departure of four drivers, including Sebastian Vettel, Daniel Ricciardo, Nicolas Latifi and Mick Schumacher, the arrival of Oscar Piastri, Nico Hulkenberg, Nick de Vries and, most likely, Logan Sargent will lead to a weather challenge. The 2023 season is already looking very promising. Especially since the teams will have a year of experience with the new aerodynamic rules. What do you want? 20 minutes Imagining some scenarios for 2023.

Back to Mercedes outposts

This 2022 season has been a long and trying one for Lewis Hamilton and his new teammate George Russell. Accustomed to winning everything but 2021, Mercedes has had the biggest difficulty getting used to the new aerodynamic rules, as evidenced by the disappointing results of the W13 and its zero pontoon concept. But the Silver Arrows bounced back late in the season and pulled off an unlikely double at the Brazil GP last week.

With George Russell’s first career win, dubbed by his team-mate Lewis Hamilton, he was almost triumphant to see Mercedes back to their best. A good partnership between the two drivers that could allow Mercedes to find the top of the classification is the presence of drivers like that of the constructors. The desire to extend Lewis Hamilton, who is out of contract at the end of next year, is yet another indication of the Silver Arrows’ return to excellent form, which is vital to the tension at the top of the championship.

Duel with Ferrari

As one fan described in one of our previous articles, a “sadly funny season” for Ferrari. The 2022 season, marked by a return to competitiveness among the Reds, revealed the first but paradoxically terrible strategic mistakes for three seasons. Charles Leclerc, who did not appear before the press before the Brazilian Grand Prix, was tired of his team’s mistakes. Ferrari president John Elkann would even consider replacing Mattia Binotto, who has led the Scuderia for four seasons. According to the latest rumors, he may be replaced by the current head of Alfa Romeo, Frédéric Vasseur. With a Frenchman at the head of Ferrari, everything will go well. What allows Charles Leclerc to spend less time breathing and more time to win?

RedBull has been downgraded

A spectacular 2022 season, highlighted by a second drivers’ world championship for Max Verstappen and constructors’ world titles for RedBull. Sergio Perez’s second-place finish may even be historic. In addition, Verstappen did not allow his team-mate to pass the final lap of the Brazilian Grand Prix as planned. “He showed who he really is,” he didn’t hesitate to release Cheko after the finish. Almost everyone is trying to find out where it comes from, but one thing is for sure, it can cause a lot of damage in the barn.

RedBull’s false justification in Thursday’s press release that he was informed at Turn 6 that “Max was only informed at the last corner of his request to regain position” does not calm the winged bull. Daniel Ricciardo, who was not retained at McLaren, is even expected to return to the first team as a reserve driver. So nothing good for Peres. With such an atmosphere, as RedBull’s recent races have shown, it is difficult to be as dominant as this season.

Still a roller coaster for the Alps

Alpine’s 2022 season looks to be hell, with the team leading McLaren by 19 points ahead of this weekend, with the first reliability concerns at the start of the season likely to see them slip to 4th in the constructors’ standings. season. But Alpine has made headlines off the track. First, it made a surprise announcement on the first day of the summer break with the unexpected departure of Fernando Alonso. Then the imbroglio with Oscar Piastri, the reserve driver who did not hesitate to deny his team to the public. The French team made up for it by stealing another French driver, Pierre Gasly, from the RedBull race.

Even if the single-seater’s chassis is manufactured at Enstone, it’s enough to make for a charming driver duo and a 100% French institution. “There will be no hierarchy,” warned Alpine director Laurent Rossi. Their early years in karting soon turned from friendship to competition, and everyone prayed for chemistry between the two drivers. In 2023, there is more risk of talking off the track.

Piastri debuts at McLaren

We’ve just celebrated this with Alpine, Oscar Piastri’s faux-goodness for his stable of a lifetime has been one of this season’s soap operas. His McLaren debut will therefore be scrutinized by Formula 1 observers both for his selection and his performance in the lower categories. He won F3 and then F2 in each of his first seasons in these categories. But this time with a completely different pressure on the shoulders.