By Joe Murphy
In this piece, we now do the other half of the grid seeing how the remaining men got on in 2023. Starting with a top achiever…
Alex Albon – A
Alex Albon’s strongest year yet in Formula 1, of that there is no doubt. He put that Williams higher up the grid than it had any right to be and the driver came alive in the wet conditions. Utilising his superb straught line speed, Alex maximised his points haul for the team, effectively carrying it in terms of points.
Logan Sergeant – D+
A points finish in Austin saved this from being a disasterous season for the American rookie. In somewhat of a surprise move, Williams opted to retain the youngster for another season, choosing not to opt for Liam Lawson who, from his two races alone, scored more points than Sergeant. This second year has to be better otherwise he won’t be renewed a second time.
Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen – C
Not much to shout about for either Haas driver. Both couldn’t save Haas from a poor 2023 that had originally promised so much more. Some good performances from both drivers over the course of the year, but nothing outstanding. A podium seems a lightyear away. Happy to see both remaining on the grid for 2024, however.
Estaban Ocon – C
The woeful second half of the season from this particular Frenchman won’t please the new Alpine investors consortium. That being said, there aren’t any better drivers who you could see in his seat at this moment in time. Estaban will hope to rediscover the pace from earlier in 2023 for next season.
Pierre Gasly – B
Considering it was his first season with the team, Pierre Gasly fit into Alpine like a hand fits into a glove. An unspectacular start but a solid and consistent run since the summer break and after Alpine’s dismal DNF run, Pierre carried the team for the final few races and made the car look semi competitive. Another strong year would be huge for all involved.
Valterri Bottas and Guanyu Zhou – C-
Like Haas, not much to shout about for either of these drivers. Perhaps Zhou edges the battle considering the gap in 2022, but both would have been hoping for more ahead of this past season. The pace in Hungary promised so much too, but was a false dawn. Another chance next year at the rebranded team, before pressure really starts to mount.
Yuki Tsunoda – B
An excellent season all things considered from the still young Japanese driver. Yuki may not have scored standout points but consistently put this car there on there abouts to give his team a chance. Had to race alongside three different drivers but nevertheless, car number 22 kept improving and scoring small yet vital points in a car that simply want as fast as in 2022. That upward trajectory will hopefully continue next year.
Nyck de Vries – E, Daniel Ricciardo – C
It’s never coming in halfway through a season then breaking your hand. So we never really got to see what Daniel Ricciardo could do in an Alpha Tauri. He seems a way off that Red Bull seat presently but with more time and an improved car, he could easily put that car higher up the grid in 2024. For Nyck, the Dutch driver couldn’t replicate the previous form he had shown in Monza for Williams in 2022. Perhaps he should have been given more time to settle, but Formula 1 is a cut-throat game that relies solely on results. With Danny Ricc available, was probably the right call to make the switch.
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