It’s impossible to compare generations in Formula 1; after all, the sport is constantly evolving and we have more races on the calendar now than ever before. But there’s no denying that the 2023 season will go down in the history books for Red Bull and Max Verstappen. And the stats back it up, with the duo breaking a slew of records enroute to clinching the drivers and constructors’ titles.
F1 2023: Picture of dominance
2022 was already a dominant year for Verstappen, but 2023 saw him hit new heights. Having won 19 out of 22 races, he won 86.3 percent of all races last season – that’s more than 10 percent clear of the previous record holder, Alberto Ascari. And he won 12 of those from pole position.
In fact, with 575 points to his name, Verstappen singlehandedly scored more points than Mercedes – who finished second in the championship. He also led nearly 75 percent of all laps in 2023. For decades, the iconic McLaren MP4/4 has held the title of the most successful F1 car ever, with the team winning 15 out of 16 races in 1988 for a win percentage of 93.7 percent. Even this record was smashed in 2023, with the Red Bull RB19 winning 21 out of 22 races for a return of 95.4 percent.
F1 2023: Head-to-head
Verstappen now also holds the record for the biggest ever title winning margin, having defeated teammate Sergio Perez by a mammoth 290 points. The previous record was Sebastian Vettel’s lead of 155 points over Fernando Alonso in 2013.
But the 2023 stats reveal plenty of other interesting tidbits. After being defeated by George Russell in terms of points scored in 2022, Lewis Hamilton bounced back last season and gained the upper hand at Mercedes. Meanwhile, over at Williams, Alex Albon eclipsed his rookie teammate Logan Sargeant. Albon also happens to be the only driver to have outqualified his teammate in every race in 2023.
F1 2023: A look back
2023 may have been all about Red Bull, but it was also a promising year for a number of other teams. Both McLaren and Aston Martin made some of the biggest gains last season. But on the flipside, the likes of Haas and Alfa Romeo tumbled down the order.
Mercedes may have gained a place in the constructors’ championship, but its overall points tally was over 100 points less than 2022. Meanwhile, issues with tyre wear and race pace dropped Ferrari to third place overall – scoring 148 points less than 2022.
With 2023 in the rear view mirror, the focus now shifts to 2024. Teams like Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren will be looking to eat into Red Bull’s advantage next year, but the reigning champions remain the clear favourite.
The more pertinent question is if it is possible for Red Bull to produce an even better 2024. The Red Bull machine seems unstoppable right now, but Verstappen certainly believes there are still weaknesses to be addressed.
“Of course, there are [weaknesses]. Look at our race weekend in Singapore. In general, on street circuits, I think we are struggling a bit; more like in Vegas also,” Verstappen said at the Abu Dhabi season finale. “So yeah, low speed is definitely not our strongest point in the car; bumps, curbs as well. So that’s definitely a big area where we can improve.”
F1 2023: Other interesting stats
6 hat tricks
Verstappen bagged pole, race win and the fastest lap in Spain, Austria, Britain, Japan, Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
200 starts without podium
Nico Hülkenberg now holds the record for the most F1 starts without a podium finish.
5 penalties in one race
Esteban Ocon set the grim record for most penalties in a single race, collecting five of them in Austria.
13 podiums without a win
Lando Norris now equals Nick Heidfeld’s tally for the most podium finishes without a race win.
6 pitstops
Verstappen boxed six times at Zandvoort, setting the record for the most pit stops made by a winning driver in a single race.
63 overtakes in one lap
The Dutch GP had the most overtakes in a single lap (63) and the most pit stops in a race (89).
Also see:
Verstappen wins Abu Dhabi GP; Mercedes P2 in constructors’ championship