The top five F1® drivers in 2023 ranked
Wednesday, 16 August 2023
The drivers that have performed strongly in their machinery.
With the Formula 1® mid-season break in effect, now marks a great time to review which drivers have stood out for season 2023.
This year has been a dominant season for Red Bull Racing, but there has been plenty of noteworthy performances throughout the field.
Who will make our coveted top-five list? Keep reading to find out!
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This isn’t up for debate – Max Verstappen is producing one of the best seasons we’ve ever seen from an F1® driver and must be number one.
The Dutchman has taken eight victories in a row, and it’s not out of the question that he could break the record for the most consecutive wins (Sebastian Vettel’s nine wins in a row from 2013)
At the start of the season, his teammate Sergio Perez was putting up a pretty good fight, snatching two wins off him at Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan.
However, since Miami - Verstappen has pulverised his teammate with 195 points to 84.
We are witnessing a driver that’s on top of his game, and he’s not looking like he is slowing down anytime soon.
- Best result: 1 (x10)
- Podiums: 12 (Every race)
- Points: 314
It’s been refreshing to see Fernando Alonso back towards the front of the field with six podiums for 2023 so far.
Despite being 42 years old, Alonso continues to defy his age with his best season since 2013 - back in the Ferrari days.
Aston Martin started the year with a highly competitive car, and the Spaniard used his vast experience and talent to make the most of it.
Concerningly, the team seems to be dropping behind in its development compared to Mercedes and Ferrari – meaning Alonso’s second place in the standings could be under threat.
Alonso has developed a reputation as a teammate killer, and Lance Stroll is the latest in a long line of drivers to struggle in comparison. Stroll has only managed to finish ahead of Alonso once this year.
Can Fernando win a race this season? His window might be closing, but wouldn’t it be great to see?
- Best result: 2 (x2)
- Podiums: 6
- Points: 149
The king is getting back to his best.
After a difficult 2022 season where he was outscored by George Russell, Hamilton is showing signs that he could contend for another championship if Mercedes can provide him with the right car.
The seven-time champion already has four podiums for this season and has finished ahead of Russell in nine out of 12 races.
If someone were going to stop Red Bull Racing from winning every race this year – Lewis Hamilton would have to be the favourite.
Hamilton seems to have regained his passion and excitement to continue in the sport after the controversial Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2021, and it's rumoured that he’ll sign a multi-year deal to stay with Mercedes.
- Best result: 2 (x2)
- Podiums: 4
- Points: 148
Lando Norris has now established himself amongst F1®’s elite in recent years, and 2023 has been another strong year for the McLaren driver.
The MCL60 proved to be a handful at the start of the season, but McLaren has improved tremendously after introducing an upgrade package in Austria.
At some tracks, the car even looks like the second quickest behind Red Bull, and Norris took full advantage with podiums at Silverstone and the Hungaroring.
There’s been a lot of interest compared to his Aussie teammate Oscar Piastri who is also having a great season as a rookie driver.
So far, Norris has been able to hold Piastri off, but it’ll be fascinating to see how this dynamic develops in the coming seasons.
For now, Norris is still the team leader, and you have to give him credit for extracting great results from nowhere.
- Best result: 2 (x2)
- Podiums: 2
- Points: 69
The surprise packet of the year.
Alex Albon seems to have a solid ability to drag cars well beyond their expected capabilities.
Williams finished dead last in the 2022 constructors’ championship, and now they have risen to seventh this year, all thanks to Albon!
So far, he’s already taken points in three different races, in contrast to his teammate Logan Sargeant who hasn’t scored any.
A highlight for Albon was his drive to seventh in Montreal and eighth in Silverstone.
His performances could start to draw the eye of teams higher up the pecking order, and it’s great to see him turning around his career after a difficult time at Red Bull Racing.
- Best result: 7th (x1)
- Podiums: 0
- Points: 11
