As we start to hit the midway point of the 2023 Formula One season, I've decided to take a look back at my pre-season predictions to see what has materialised over the course of the past 3-4 months.
Back in March, after the conclusion of the pre-season tests, I wrote down eight plausible predictions that I thought were possible throughout this season of Formula One. If you'd like to take a look at this post all you need to do is click here! So, how have I done so far? Let's find out.
My first prediction was that Max Verstappen would win his third consecutive World Driver's Championship. At this point in the season, it's an impossible feat to win the championship. However, with 12 races to go, we've already got a picture of how the rest of the season may play out and, this includes Verstappen winning that championship. Red Bull and Verstappen have had a strong and consistent start to the season with Sergio Perez; Verstappen's teammate, being the only driver to challenge him. But with Perez's challenge slowly fading away, it's just a matter of time before Verstappen takes home number three.
Fernando Alonso being back on the podium was another prediction that I made. With a recent move to Aston Martin for 2023, there were plenty of questions as to whether this move was worthwhile for the Spaniard. But, with a positive pre-season test, I was more than happy to bite the bullet and make this prediction. And, it was in Bahrain, the first race of the season, where Alonso made this a reality. Since then, the Aston Martin driver has gone on to score five more podiums. Surely there's room for more this season?
Next up was the formation of a teammate rilvalry. So far, things have been relatively quiet on this front. Although, tensions have been rising, at times, between several teammates including Mercedes' Hamilton and Russell and Ferrari's Leclerc and Sainz. Still, there is plenty of time for something to prospire.
One prediction that didn't evolve was a strong start to the season from Haas who would then drop off. In fact, Haas' season has been pretty mediocre so far with only eight points between their drivers; Hulkenberg and Magnussen. Things were looking up for the American team when Hulkenberg qualified 2nd for the Canadian Grand Prix. However, race pace is still yet to materialise and the German driver, alongside his teammate, continued the team's pointless streak with their last point being scored back at the Miami Grand Prix.
So far this season, Williams have scored only 7 points. All which have come from Alex Albon with a 10th place in Bahrain and a fantastic 7th in Canada. His teammate; Logan Sargeant, lies bottom of the pack on zero points, with whispers starting about the American being replaced. This prediction was that Williams would be regular point scorers and, has again, not come to fruition. It's a shame,. The team has come on in leaps and bounds in recent years. Surely their reprival is just around the corner?
It's going to be a tough season for McLaren. Reliability has been the bane of their lives so far this season but with only one retirement, things could be worse. The team currently sits 6th in the constructors championship behind Alpine, their closest competitors who already have a podium to their name in 2023. But, for McLaren, after two pointless race weekends, the team need some much needed improvement at the next weekend in Austria especially as the talents of Norris and Piastri are being wasted on mechanical issues and slow speed.
We've only seen two different race winners in 2023, so far and both of them are the Red Bulls of Verstappen and Perez. So, the chances of seeing a first time winner in 2023 is looking pretty slim. Red Bull are looking strong and reliable this season so, if we're going to find ourselves with a new winner, let alone a different winner, Red Bull are going to need a catastrophic weekend. But, never say never. Anything can happen in motorsport.
My final 2023 prediction is that Nyck de Vries would be Rookie of the Year. A lot of people had extremely high expectations for the Dutch driver in his first season in F1. Especially as he is a previous Formula 2 and Formula E champion. However, for de Vries, things couldn't be going much worse. The Alpha Tauri driver currently sits 19th out of 20 drivers in the championship with zero points and has found himself in a spot of bother in several incidents this season. Unfortunately for de Vries, he is apart of the Red Bull pool and questions have quickly been raised on whether he is capable of holding onto his seat for the rest of the season.
Looking back at these predictions only two have, so far, come to fruition. And, I'm honestly surprised it's this many because I'm useless at predicting things. But, as I have mentioned several times throughout this post, there is still some way to go in the 2023 season. Anything can happen and I'm excited to see how it plays out and update you all on my predictions later on in the season.
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