THE 2023 Formula 1 season is Cars have been revealed, drivers have slipped into their race suits, and testing has taken place before the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix on 5 March. Over the course of 23 races, 20 drivers will fight for title glory, but there are so many fascinating questions heading into this season.
Will Ferrari be able to combine consistency with its pace from last year? Has Mercedes managed to turn around its difficult 2022 season to bring itself back into title contention? Or has Red Bull once again produced a winner - and can anyone get close to Max Verstappen? Our eight-page preview tells you everything you'll need to know before the season begins.
Six things to look out for in 2023
1. New drivers
THE 2023 grid has seen a handful of driver transfers and there are some new names to look out for, with rookies joining the field, plus some familiar faces. Perhaps the most exciting of all is the competitive debut for Oscar Piastri; the young Aussie is one of very few drivers to make it to F1 that have not only won, but dominated their Formula 3 and Formula 2 campaigns, with championship victories in 2020 and 2021.
Sadly, with no seat available for him last year, Piastri had to watch from the sidelines, but he's jumping into a coveted seat at McLaren for his first year, so strong results are possible. Another F2 graduate is Logan Sergeant (right). The American took fourth in the F1 feeder series last year, and joins Alex Albon at Williams.
2. The return of some old faces
This story is from the March 01, 2023 edition of Auto Express.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 01, 2023 edition of Auto Express.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Panorama highlights faults plaguing smart motorways
THE UK's smart motorway network is plagued with technological faults that are not fixed for days at a time, leaving drivers at risk, according to the latest edition of the BBC's Panorama programme.
Final tests for Range Rover EV
Land Rover reveals images of electric Range Rover
BYD will spread its wings by selling new Seagull in Europe
BYD will bring its value Seagull supermini to Europe and the UK, Auto Express can reveal, after the Chinese brand's executive VP, Stella Li, confirmed the plan in Beijing.
Mega MG model blitz
THE MG3 hatchback kicks off a big year for MG, with at least four other new models arriving in the next 12 months.
BUYER'S GUIDE: Toyota RAV4 Mk5
FROM £17,000 Spacious five-seat SUV also offers loads of standard kit and unburstable reliability
Tesla fires up 460bhp Model 3 Performance
TESLA has just revealed its new Ragship Model 3 Performance - a quicker, more powerful version of the brand's all-electric executive saloon car - and has put it straight on sale in the UK, with prices from £59,990.
ASPIRING LEADERS
The new Volkswagen Tiguan takes on the Hyundai Tucson for compact family-SUV honours
HIGH ROLLERS
As Rolls-Royce hits 120 years old, meet the car makers that have tried to take it on - not always successfully
Jeep Wrangler
FIRST DRIVE Revised SUV icon gets enhanced interior tech
Mercedes-AMG CLE 53
FIRST DRIVE Performance version of sleek new coupé is put through its paces