Formula One action blasts back onto our screens this month and we’re expecting one hell of a championship battle. Our resident MAXIM Motorhead predicts the storm ahead…
It doesn’t matter whom you talk to in Formula One at the moment, there’s a real buzz that this forthcoming 2023 season could be one for the ages – as good, and as close, as 2021, when Max Verstappen lifted his maiden title at the final round (albeit in highly contentious circumstances). Of course, as we now know, the Dutchman went on to steamroll the opposition last year in his mighty Red Bull RB18, with a record-15 of 22 races won for his second-straight crown. And if that wasn’t enough, his veteran teammate Sergio Pérez nabbed two more for Red Bull Racing’s first title double since 2013.
It was a bitter pill to swallow for its main rivals Ferrari, which dropped the ball with reliability issues and strategy errors, forcing top man Mattia Binotto to be jettisoned, and Mercedes, which finally produced a lame dog of a car after eight-consecutive constructors’ crowns and had to play catch-up. Both are desperate to gallop back into winning contention this season, meaning that we could be in for a three-way (six-driver) stoush – in this the second year of F1’s “new era” regulations, which saw the cars reboot their aerodynamics for closer wheel-to-wheel racing and more overtakes.
The big question though, is will the Silver Arrows or the Prancing Horse be able to hold a candle to top dog Red Bull, with its RB19 an evolution of its dominant 2022 car? The murmurs from both rival camps are that the gap to Red Bull has been more than bridged. Have they done their sums right?
THE DRIVER CHANGES
There’s no shortage of changes on the grid this year with new driver pairings, and new faces to challenge the establishment. But, none of those are up at the front, with the top teams retaining their line-ups for maximum stability going into the opening Middle Eastern rounds in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. That means Verstappen and Pérez charge on at Red Bull, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz stay at Ferrari, and Sir Lewis Hamilton and George Russell again make for a formidable all-British line-up at Mercedes. All have much to prove, with Hamilton on a crusade for his record-eighth crown.
owever, the changes come thick and fast from there. At Alpine, Pierre Gasly joins Esteban Ocon for a likely fiery all-French pairing, while at McLaren it’s Lando Norris and hyped Aussie rookie Oscar Piastri. But, while the Melbourne-born racer impressively won three-straight junior crowns (including F2 and F3), he’s got nowhere to hide following his high-profile split with Alpine. Alfa Romeo retains veteran Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu, while at ambitious team Aston Martin, two-time F1 World Champion Fernando Alonso has replaced Sebastian Vettel as Lance Stroll’s teammate. Haas has kept Kevin Magnussen, but said goodbye Mick Schumacher and hello to veteran Nico Hülkenberg.
Down at Red Bull’s sister squad AlphaTauri, Nyck de Vries will make his full-time debut after a standout stand-in with Williams last year (having scored two points at the Italian Grand Prix). The Dutchman partners Yuki Tsunoda. While at Grove, it’s Alex Albon and American rookie Logan Sargeant.
THE CAR MODIFICATIONS
This season marks the second year of F1’s “new era” technical regulations, where the cars use ground effect aerodynamics (under the car) to direct the turbulent air skyward, enabling the chasing car to close-up, make a move, and overtake. But there are subtle tweaks to the formula. The FIA has clamped down on 2022 scourge “porpoising” (or bouncing) for a smoother ride with minor changes to the floor and diffuser’s throat and edge. The roll hoops will now have a rounded top for added safety, following Zhou Guanyu’s monster turn one shunt at the British Grand Prix.
There’s also some minor changes relating to driver mirrors, which will now be 50 millimetres larger; total car weight (down 2kg to 796kg), power unit weight (up 1kg to 151kg), and fuel temperature. For all you armchair aerodynamicists, F1 front wing slot gap separators have been banned. Financially, F1’s technical teams will have to do more with even less, with the cost cap reduced to $135 million US dollars (from $140 million). On-track, we will see more Sprint events – six in total to double 2022’s total – in Azerbaijan, Austria, Belgium, Qatar, USA (Austin) and Brazil.
THE CALENDAR
F1’s 2023 season features a record-breaking 23 rounds, but it’s not an easy one for those operating within the paddock with two triple-headers, and six double-headers. There’s also an unusual 28-day gap between Australia and Azerbaijan after China’s last-minute cancellation. Middle Eastern nation Qatar also returns to the fold, following its FIFA World Cup hosting duties. However, the focus is very much on breaking into the USA – with three rounds there, in Miami, Austin and the return of Las Vegas after four decades for a primetime, blockbuster Saturday night race that takes in the world-famous Strip. All of it is designed to capitalise on exploding interest Stateside. “You can definitely see the impact that [popular Netflix reality series] Formula 1: Drive to Survive has made, both in the USA and globally,” says rookie American driver Logan Sargeant. “I think as well having three Grands Prix there next year between Austin, Miami and Las Vegas, it’s a good trio to have. Miami is obviously special to me because it’s where I’m from.”
The season again finishes early, in November rather than December, at its now-traditional end-of-season destination in the Middle East: Abu Dhabi’s futuristic race venue, Yas Marina Circuit. Will we see the championship battle go down to the wire again? It’s what we’re all hoping for.
SINGAPORE SLING
Looking for the perfect follow-up to Melbourne’s highly anticipated Albert Park race on March 30-April 2? Take your love of the sport to the next level with a trip to the Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix 2023 – a perfect post-winter holiday that promises tropical climate, fantastic racing under lights, the hottest music acts on stage, and much more. Those who head to Singapore for the event this year will be among the first to see F1 cars race on its modified track layout that will be in place until 2026 at least.
The changes are a result of local redevelopment, and will see the Marina Bay Street Circuit drop to 4.928-kilometres in total distance and 19 turns. The cars will now go straight on at what was turn 16 to connect with what was turn 19 to form a 397.9 metre back straight. A welcome relief for the drivers in what is the toughest event of the year. The lap times are expected to drop by 20 seconds, too, ensuring a thrilling spectacle for trackside fans.
As always, the event is about so much more than racing – with music playing a big part. The 2023 acts are yet to be announced, but Marshmello, Westlife, Green Day, Black Eyed Peas, Suede, The Kid LAROI, and TLC headlined 2022’s line-up, in which 92 acts in total performed across nine stages. There’s been no shortage of quality since 2008, with past headliners including Red Hot Chili Peppers, Muse, The Killers, Dua Lipa, Gwen Stefani, Calvin Harris, Ariana Grande, Queen with Adam Lambert, Imagine Dragons, Bon Jovi, Pharrell Williams, Swedish House Mafia, and much, much more.
Beyond the track, Singapore is a dream to get around and the city-state is world-renowned for its cuisine, celebrating its Malay, Indian and Chinese heritage. You cannot go wrong, whether you’re booking five-star or budget, and all with just a seven-hour flight from Sydney or Melbourne, or five from Perth.
By STEWART BELL
For the full article grab the March 2023 issue of MAXIM Australia from newsagents and convenience locations. Subscribe here.
