2023 Season

Max Verstappen secured the drivers’ championship, driving for Red Bull Racing, in a season comprising 22 races. Red Bull Racing also clinched the constructors’ championship, amassing 860 points and 21 wins. Verstappen achieved 19 victories and 21 podiums, setting a new benchmark for wins in a single season. The only other drivers to win a race were Sergio Pérez, also for Red Bull, with two victories, and Carlos Sainz for Ferrari, who won the Singapore Grand Prix.

The title battle was initially close, with Verstappen and Pérez separated by just one point after round two. However, Verstappen quickly built a commanding lead, extending the gap to 39 points after six rounds and surpassing 100 points after ten rounds. By the end of the season, Verstappen’s margin over second-placed Pérez was 290 points, reflecting a highly dominant campaign. The championship was never closely contested beyond the early rounds, as indicated by the consistent and increasing points gap.

Red Bull Racing’s dominance was evident in both championships, with the team more than doubling the points of their nearest rival, Mercedes. The season featured three different race winners and six sprint weekends. Verstappen secured 13 pole positions, further underlining his and the team’s superiority.

Within the context of Formula 1 history, the 2023 season stands as one of the most dominant by a single driver and team, occurring in the ground-effect regulation era. Notable incidents included two disqualifications and a limited number of race winners, highlighting the extent of Red Bull and Verstappen’s control throughout the year.