As we go into the Dutch Grand Prix week, we can finally say goodbye to the Summer Break and hello to "Race Week!" However, before that, I wanted to take one more look at the first half of the season and decide which 5 drivers have been the most impressive so far in 2023.
As we're all well aware, this season has, so far, been dominated by the reigning World Champion; Max Verstappen and his Red Bull team. But, here and there, there have been some impressive performances, from others, up and down the grid. But who would I say has impressed me the most? Let's find out.
Max Verstappen
This one may be an obvious choice but I couldn't emit Verstappen from this list. As mentioned before, he has had a dominate first half of the season, breaking numerous, long-standing records and winning ten out of the twelve available wins, to date. Of course, people could, and will, argue that he has the best car, and there's no denying it - he does, but he's also showing an extraordinary talent to go with it. Why else is his teammate so far behind him? Perez is a decent driver, but Verstappen is on another level. In 2023, Red Bull and Verstappen are an unstoppable force and are on course for another World Championship win. Can anyone stop him?
Fernando Alonso
With two World Championships to his name, Alonso has always been considered as one of the most all around drivers in F1 history. However, since leaving Ferrari back in 2014, he had only scored one podium -Qatar 2021; but that was before the start of this season. In 2023, with a new team and a new car around him, Alonso has managed to put his Aston Martin on the podium six times, with four 3rd places and two 2nd places, while denying his teammate; Lance Stroll, of any. In fact, what's also impressive, but maybe unsurprising, is how Alonso has "destroyed" his teammate so far in 2023, by scoring over 100 points more than Stroll in the first half of the season. However, with teams, such as McLaren, making constant improvements; can Alonso score anymore podiums, or even a win, during the remainder of the season?
Alexander Albon
Although he currently sits 13th in the World Drivers Championship, with only 11 points to his name; Alex Albon has shown a great improvement over the course of 2023. And, what makes it even more impressive is that he's doing it in a Williams - a car that is way off the pace and has failed to hand his teammate; Logan Sargeant, a single point in 2023. It is true that Albon has masses of experience compared to Sargeant, but when the Thai driver manages to keep the faster cars of, for example, the Alpine of Ocon and Aston Martin of Stroll, behind him (Canada 2023), you know you're on to something special. That may be why during the Summer Break, Albon was declared as "F1's Most Wanted Man," with top teams reportedly lined up to take him on.
Oscar Piastri
Piastri is, undoubtedly, the standout rookie of the season, so far. In fact, some of his performances have been so "stellar," you'd be forgiven in thinking that he was a seasoned Formula One driver. As we know, McLaren had a difficult start to the season, but once the upgrades came, both drivers were coming on in leaps and bounds. And, despite Lando Norris' two podiums for the team in 2023, it's Piastri who stands out for me. He is a rookie placing a McLaren 3rd and 4th in qualifying at Silverstone and Hungary, respectively, followed by a 2nd place in the Sprint Shootout qualifying and Sprint Race in Spa. As McLaren continue to better themselves, will we be seeing Piastri at the front of the field more often?
Lewis Hamilton
Since the introduction of the new regulations in 2022, Hamilton and Mercedes have struggled to get their feet off the ground. But, in the first half of 2023, with a better understanding of the new regulations and with a driver of Hamilton's caliber, he has surely made his claim as one of the most consistent drivers on the grid, scoring in every race that has been and gone, so far. Four of those have even been podiums, and have helped to give the Brit a nearly 50-point advantage over his teammate. Obviously, as a 7 time World Champion, we know what Hamilton is capable of. But, after last year, it's nice to see him back in a better position.
So, there we have it. My Top 5 Drivers in F1 2023, so far. This year, this list has been relatively easy to make, with not many stand out performances, to date. However, I do want to mention Lando Norris' podiums, Esteban Ocon's 3rd place in Monaco and Carlos Sainz's consistency as things that would have got them onto this list. But, at the end of the day I could only pick 5.
I'm intrigued to know my thoughts at the end of the season, as to whether this list will stay the same. But, until then, we've got a whole lot of racing to do!
Tell me, what are you thoughts? Who would make your Top 5? Let me know in the comments below!
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