Formula One fans may think that the championships are already decided with Red Bull and Max Verstappen taking the titles, but there are still plenty of exciting battles and storylines to watch as the 2023 season comes to a close. With five grands prix and a couple of sprint races remaining, let’s take a look at some of the key things to watch in the final stretch.
1. The Constructors’ Battle for P2
Aston Martin’s early dominance for second place in the Constructors’ Championship has been challenged by Mercedes and Ferrari. Heading into the United States Grand Prix, Mercedes holds a 28-point lead over Ferrari. Both teams have had their fair share of ups and downs, but Mercedes is bringing an upgraded floor to Austin, which they hope will give them a small performance gain. However, they need to keep an eye on McLaren, who have been steadily climbing up the grid and could potentially challenge for third place.
2. The Drivers’ Battle for P2
Sergio Pérez has been holding onto second place in the drivers’ standings, but his lead has been narrowing as other competitors chip away at his advantage. Pérez has struggled in qualifying recently, while Lewis Hamilton has been consistently starting in the top 10. Both drivers have recorded a single DNF in the past five races, but Hamilton has scored more points during that period. Pérez needs to have clean weekends and finish consistently ahead of Hamilton to secure second place in the standings for Red Bull.
3. The Importance of the Other Battles
While the championships may be decided, there is still a lot at stake for teams in terms of prize money and final standings. Each finishing spot in the constructor standings is worth millions of dollars, which can make a significant difference for smaller teams like Williams. They are currently seventh but are at risk of losing their position to Alfa Romeo, who are just seven points behind. McLaren’s rapid progress also makes the battle for fourth place interesting, as they aim to catch Ferrari with five grands prix and two sprint races remaining.
4. The Future of Logan Sargeant
One seat on the 2024 grid is still unconfirmed, and that is the seat at Williams currently occupied by Logan Sargeant. The rookie driver has shown potential but has also made costly mistakes throughout the season. Williams team principal James Vowles has expressed confidence in Sargeant’s pace but acknowledges the need for consistency. The team will make a decision on his place on next year’s grid at the end of the season.
As the 2023 Formula One season enters its final stretch, there are still plenty of battles to watch and storylines to follow. Whether it’s the fight for second place in both the Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships or the battles further down the grid for prize money and future seats, there is no shortage of excitement as the season comes to a close. So, don’t miss out on the action and keep an eye on these key storylines as Formula One reaches its thrilling conclusion.