Via formula1.com
The action for the 2023 Formula 1 season is starting to ramp up as the start of the season with the Bahrain Grand Prix is set to take place in a week! Before the start of the season, Marissa Myers and Tayyib Abu give their award predictions with how the season will unfold.
Most Improved Driver: Pierre Gasly
Alpine had a great car in 2022 to finish fourth in the Constructors Standings with 173. With Gasly he was able to get the most out of a below-average AlphaTauri car to finish with 23 points and 14 in the standings. For him to be able to do that with that car, and now in a much improved Alpine car, Gasly should be able to fully show his skills as a driver.
Rookie of the Year: Oscar Piastri
Out of all the rookies, Piastri landed in arguably the best situation. He gets to learn from a good rising star in teammate Lando Norris. Piastri has the talent, as shown when he won the Formula 2 championship in 2021. He has continuously been a composed driver when racing and is extremely strategic as well. All that will translate to being on the Formula 1 grid, and being in a car like McLaren should lead to a great rookie season for Piastri.
Team of the Year: Ferrari
After starting off hot, Ferrari cooled off as the 2022 season went on, dealing with reliability issues and questionable strategy calls. Now, under a new team principal in Fred Vasseur, who has prior experience with Charles Leclerc, he should be able to maximize the effort of the team in 2023. There is no denying the Ferrari car is among the best, and with better direction under Vasseur, expect both Leclerc and Carlos Sainz to make huge leaps and lead to Ferrari overall being the team to beat.
World Champion: Max Verstappen
It is hard to look past Max Verstappen completing a three-peat. The double World Champion is riding sky-high on confidence and looks invincible. The Dutch Lion spoke confidently after this week’s pre-season test in Bahrain; “I think the car is working really well—so very positive days for me. And just in general enjoying driving the car. But overall, I think it’s definitely an improvement from last year.” If the RB19 is a marked improvement over last year’s race car, Verstappen could again dominate the championship. Red Bull Racing is the hot team in F1. Their strategy is on-point, the cars are reliable, and Verstappen is a demon. He will win a third championship in 2023.
Best Duo: Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly
Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly have known each other for over 20 years. The French aces were once best friends before a karting incident when they were teenagers changed everything. Following that incident, Gasly and Ocon went their separate ways, as both rose through the ranks to get to F1. And this year, the duo are reunited as Alpine teammates. Both drivers are highly talented; both are former Grand Prix winners, and both can be temperamental. At the Alpine launch event, the drivers confirmed that any previous animosity was gone. However, this is F1, and it is a ruthless business. Gasly and Ocon will be ferociously determined to beat one another, which in turn, could drive Alpine to another level. Of the midfield teams, Alpine are the only team with two race-winning drivers. That could give them the edge.
Race of the Year: British Grand Prix
I am biased, but I will pick the British Grand Prix as my race of the year. The Silverstone Circuit is an undulating high-speed roller coaster ride through the British countryside. With long straightaways, big braking zones, and a slew of overtaking places, Silverstone always delivers.
