5 Things I’d Like To See Happen in F1 in 2023

The 2022 Formula One Season is nothing but a memory. Another season written into the F1 history books. Now all eyes are reigning down upon 2023. Can Max Verstappen win a third consecutive championship? Can Ferrari provide their drivers with better strategies? And, will anyone emerge as a surprise title contender?

In no way, shape or form is this any kind of a prediction. I'm not gifted in that way. But, I'd like to look back on this post at the end of the 2023 season and see which of these actually happened.

Below, I have listed five things I'd like to see happen in the 2023 Formula One season. I've tried to keep them as realistic as possible but sometimes you just can't help one's imagination!

Carlos Sainz World Champion!

It's not impossible.

But, with the likes of Leclerc, Hamilton and Verstappen on the grid it wouldn't be an easy task. That's not to say Carlos isn't capable of it. Of course, he would need to up his game a bit, have more luck and, most importantly, have Ferrari on his side, which may be difficult with Leclerc being the supposed "number one driver" and the younger protégée in the team. But, anything can happen in motorsport. Just look at Interlagos in 2008 when Felipe Massa won the championship on home soil for a mere 30 seconds before a slow Timo Glock allowed Lewis Hamilton to pass giving him the championship instead. Heartbreak. But that's motorsport.

We all love the element of surprise in motorsport and it's about time that an underdog took the crown. As a Carlos fan, you may call me biased, but I'm all for him to win the 2023 Formula One World Championship.

More Winners!

Remember the 2012 season? It was one of my favourites, for sure. What stood out for me that year was the amount of drivers to win a race in the first half of that particular season. There were seven different winners in the first seven races including Williams' and Pastor Maldonado's infamous and surprise win at that year's Spanish Grand Prix.

To see this in Formula One again would be magnificent. At times the sport can be too predictable and although some rules and regulations were changed for 2022, as a way to help induce more competition, it hasn't exactly worked as everyone hoped. Red Bull and Max Verstappen ran away with both championships in 2022. They got everything right. From car development to strategies. Maybe, in 2023, other teams will have learnt from their mistakes in car developement and strategies amongst other things. Maybe they could challenge Red Bull. Maybe, just maybe, we could have seven different winners in seven different races?

End of the Sprint?

It's been nearly 2 years since the Sprint Race format first replaced qualifying at some F1 events and I STILL can't understand why it's a thing.

Like a lot of things in F1, qualifying became too predictable and the sprint was drafted in as a way to make it more exciting and create a more mixed up grid for the main race on the Sunday. But again, like a lot of things in F1, it hasn't worked as everyone hoped. The majority of sprint races haven't been exciting and the final grid has remained pretty predictable. I say the "majority" because the 2022 Sprint Race in Brazil was fascinating. With a Haas on pole and overcast weather, it was a good one but still, what was the point? I'd rather have seen the main race with overcast weather and a Haas on pole.

For me, the sprint isn't about the racing. It's another piece of the entertainment puzzle and another money maker. And, looking on social media, a number of F1 fans agree. Even Max Verstappen has been vocal about his doubts. Will F1 and their management finally listen? Could this be the last season of the sprint race?

Less Controversies, Please!

Controversies have ALWAYS been a thing in Formula One. They include the 2007 espionage controversy (or Spygate) - where teams such as McLaren, Ferrari and Renault were passing confidential, technical information between one another. There was also "Crashgate" at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix. Here, Renault driver; Nelson Piquet Jr, deliberately crashed on lap 14 in order to aid his then teammate; Fernando Alonso, to victory. And then, in more recent times, we have the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix where a controversial safety car restart decided who won the that years championship. The list of controversies is pretty much endless.

However, controversies in F1 are starting to become more frequent. In 2022 alone there were at least 3 different controversies compared to the years between 1999 and 2001 where zero were recorded. (Information from Wikipedia.) Surely, social media has a play in this? Somewhere, somehow? The sport is more prevelant on social media than ever before and people like drama. But still, you cannot dismiss the incompetence of the FIA at times.

It, in my opinion, would be great if the controversies were kept to a minimum in 2023. A lot of the racing had been overshadowed by such events in 2021 and 2022. I just want to enjoy racing without the drama. But then again, sometimes it's fun.

Nail-Biting, Gripping, Unpredictable Races!

This one is pretty self explanatory. And, in all fairness to F1, in recent times, we've had some pretty decent races. Take the 2022 British Grand Prix for example. No one had an idea as to who was going to win that one after a late safety car. Would it be home favourite; Hamilton? Or underdog, Perez? Sainz was the eventual winner. As a Sainz fan, this race stressed me out but that is racing and it's the adrenaline that fuels us and keeps us hooked. This is what we need more of!

Unfortunately, with the amount of new tracks that seem to be added every year, I don't think will be getting many "nail-biting, gripping, unpredictable races" often. Why? Because they're badly laid out street circuits and my expectation on them is quite low. I hope I'm wrong.

So, there we have it. The five things that I would love to see happen in the 2023 F1 season! The likelihood of any of these happening is probably quite low but you never know! Do you agree with me, or, do you have different opinions or expectations? Let me know in the comments below!

Opinion: Mick Schumacher. Goodbye Haas. Hello Mercedes.

Mick Schumacher. I’m sure you’ve heard of him? 2018 Formula 3 champion, 2020 Formula 2 champion, has been driving for Haas in Formula One since 2021 and is son of seven time F1 World Champion; Michael Schumacher? Yup, that’s him. Unfortunately for the young German, his career in Formula One hasn’t been quite as pristine as his F2 and F3 campaigns. Or that, of his father’s career. In fact, just before the last race of the 2022 season, one of the worst kept secrets of F1 was confirmed. Schumacher would lose his  seat at Haas leaving him without a race seat in 2023. However, it’s not all doom and gloom for the 23 year old. Seeing that Schumacher was now free from any contracts, Mercedes AMG F1 Team jumped at the chance to replace their departing reserve drivers, Nyck de Vries and Stoffel Vandoorne, with the young ex-Ferrari protege that is Mick Schumacher. So, what do I make of this new signing? Is it a good move or a bad one? And, was Haas right to let Schumacher go in favour of the, more experienced, Nico Hulkenberg?

As mentioned before, Schumacher never had it easy in Formula One. His difficult start was, somewhat, expected, but still, expectations were high for him to perform well. He’s a Schumacher, after all. However, this never came to fruition and the German driver ended his first F1 Championship season in 19th place with zero points. On the plus side, he did beat his then teammate, Nikita Mazepin.

After a successful pre-season test in Bahrain and the return of Kevin Magnussen to the Haas team, things were looking up for Haas and Schumacher in 2022. But as with 2021, things were still not coming together for the 23 year old. It took him until the British Grand Prix before he scored his first points in F1. Towards the end of the season, the likelihood of seeing Schumacher in F1 in 2023 was starting to look bleak with his fate confirmed just before the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

It was obvious the relationship between Haas and Schumacher was starting to break down from mid-2022. For that reason alone, I think it was time for him to leave. However, I don't particularly think that Schumacher is/was a bad driver. He's a very capable driver and F1 is a completely different ball game to the likes of F2 and F3. Unfortunately for Schumacher, I believe he was hindered by his name. People expected too much and became too critical when he couldn't emulate his father's success. They would forget Mick is not Michael. Even TV pundits would call Mick Michael every now and again. That was the issue. People struggled to differentiate the two.

Mercedes, however, have recognised Mick's capabilities by signing him as reserve driver for 2023. The likelihood of a race seat with the team in the near future is quite unlikely. However, I think a reserve seat at a top team, such as Mercedes, is the next best thing for him. So, although Schumacher isn't racing, he's still involved in F1 and still gets the experience to help him in the future. Plus, there is always the possibility that he can get a seat with a team that runs a Mercedes engine.

I'm quite undecided over my opinions of Haas replacing Schumacher. Of course the signing of an experienced driver, like Nico Hulkenberg, will be a benefit to the team, but should they have kept Mick? I really don't know. I am, however, under the impression that a reserve role in a different team will do more good than harm to him. He can start afresh and watch from the inside, building on his experience. Only time will tell if we'll see Schumacher in F1 once again. I think it'll be a shame if we don't.

Opinion - 6 Tracks That I Think Are Sprint Race Worthy

Sprint races. They're like marmite. You either love them or you hate them. Unfortunately for the people who group themselves in the latter, it looks as if the sprint is here to stay, with six confirmed sprint races to take place throughout the 2023 season and beyond.

The sprint first came to fruition in 2021 with the inaugural race taking place at the 2021 British Grand Prix. Click here to read my opinions on that particular sprint weekend. Including the first sprint, Formula One has trialed a total of six sprint weekends. Three in 2021 and a further three in 2022. Since the closure of the 2022 Formula One season, a further six sprints have been announced. As mentioned above, these will take place next season and will be held in Azerbaijan, Austria, Belgium, Qatar, USA and Brazil. But, what do we make of these choices? I wont lie, I'm not overly hung on the idea of the sprint race acting as a replacement for qualifying. I see it as, "if it's not broke, don't fix it." However, my opinion isn't going to change anything. As for the sprint race locations, these are good tracks and have provided decent racing in the past. I would definitely, though, chop and change a few. Keep reading to discover which six tracks, that appear in the 2023 calendar, I would use for the sprint weekends.

Canada

Canada. One of my favourite circuits. It's not overly a fast track but it's long and presents some good overtaking opportunities. The weather, too, has been known to mix things up in a race, giving for some memorable classics, eg; the 2011 race. A wet sprint here could be quite interesting, indeed.

Austria

Austria has already been confirmed as a sprint for the 2023 season. The thing that makes the Red Bull Ring perfect for a sprint weekend is that it's short and mighty quick, with the lap record standing at 1:06.957. This was set by Kimi Raikkonen in 2018 - not during a sprint, however. They didn't exist then. And, with a sprint already held here in 2022, we know that this track can cause some upsets as the drivers battle their way through the field to secure their grid places for the main race the following day. Personally, I feel, if you're going to hold a sprint race, do it in Austria.

Silverstone

Like Austria, Silverstone has already been the venue of a sprint weekend. In fact, it was the site of the inaugural sprint weekend in 2021, which I've already discussed. Silverstone is a unique and historical race track in the world of Formula One. It's fast and it's challenging. It's everything a race track should be. And, just for those reasons alone, that is why I think it should continue to be a sprint race venue.

Monza

Ah, yes, Monza. Like Austria and Silverstone, this Italian venue has also had it's experience with sprint races, after one was held here in 2021. Although some drivers criticised this particular sprint race calling it "very boring," F1 management were adamant that "plenty of action" was provided.

What I like about Monza is that, again, it's high speed and it's also simplistic. The track has held the title of "fastest track on the F1 calendar" since 1991 and consists of long straights and tight chicanes. Just what I like. In recent races, Monza has coughed up some surprise podium sitters and race winners. If we could try a sprint at Monza again, I reckon it could be a good one.

Suzuka

Another classic, old school circuit. They seem to be popping up all over the place in this list. Compared to that of a roller-coaster, due to the high and slow speeds and figure of eight layout of the track, Suzuka is another prime example of a track where the sprint race could be successful. And, let's not forget the weather. When it rains in Suzuka, it pours. A mixed up grid could definitely be on the cards here.

Brazil

And, finally, Brazil! The last sprint was held here in Interlagos in 2022 and wasn't it a delight. (That's strong wording coming from me, someone not quite keen on the sprint idea!) With plenty of on-track battles and rain in the air, Interlagos delivered and thus deserves it's place on this list. I guess it's true what they say, "Interlagos never disappoints." I'm quite looking forward to seeing it as a sprint again in 2023.

So, there are my six. Canada, Austria, Silverstone, Monza, Suzuka and Brazil. All have one thing in common - they're old school circuits and, in my opinion, it's this type of circuit that provides the best racing. But, if I had my own way, sprints wouldn't exist at all. I don't really fully understand the idea behind them other than being a provider of more entertainment. They don't really do anything purposefully for the sport. But, hey-ho. Do you agree with my six tracks? Or, would you choose something different entirely? Let me know in the comment section below!