Talking Points ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix
Thursday, 2 March 2023
The 2023 F1® season finally gets underway under lights in Bahrain this weekend – here's all you need to know.
It's the time Formula 1® fans across the globe have been waiting for - race week.
F1® is back for Round 1 of the FIA Formula 1® 2023 season, with Red Bull being firm favourites in the constructors' and Max Verstappen looking like the driver to stop during the season.
A first win isn't everything
A victorious start to an F1® season is nice, but typically isn't a sign of things to come. F1® has started its seasons in Australia (seven times), Bahrain (twice) and Austria (once) in the past decade – and the winner of the first race has only converted that into a world championship twice (Lewis Hamilton in 2015, Nico Rosberg in 2016). The lesson: don't get too high or too low if your favourite driver flies or flames out in Bahrain …
Rookies get their F1® feet wet
McLaren's Oscar Piastri will get most of the Australian attention in Bahrain for obvious reasons, but there's two other rookies starting their maiden F1® campaigns, too. Logan Sargeant (Williams) becomes the first full-time American since Scott Speed 16 years ago this weekend, while Dutchman Nyck De Vries begins his first full-time campaign – he scored points in a one-off race for Williams at last year's Italian Grand Prix – for AlphaTauri. A points finish will represent a successful start for all three rookies, particularly for Piastri after McLaren endured a difficult pre-season test at Sakhir.
Familiar faces in new places
As well as three rookies in three different teams, a trio of other drivers will make their racing debuts with their new squads in Bahrain. AlphaTauri race-winner Pierre Gasly begins with Alpine, Nico Hulkenberg steps out at Haas, his sixth F1® team, while two-time world champion Fernando Alonso starts with Aston Martin – 22 years after his F1® debut for Minardi at the 2001 Australian Grand Prix. All three raced in Bahrain last year, with Hulkenberg deputising at Aston Martin for compatriot Sebastian Vettel (sidelined with covid).
The Formula 1® Bahrain Grand Prix will be available to watch on Foxtel/Kayo live with a highlights package on Channel 10 on Monday night. See our What time does the 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix start in Australia article for timings.
