How did the 2023 F1 rookies fare in Bahrain?
Autosport Plus

How did the 2023 F1 rookies fare in Bahrain?

By:

The new faces on the 2023 F1 grid experienced varying degrees of success in their first outing as fully minted full-time drivers. But how did the trio of Nyck de Vries, Oscar Piastri, and Logan Sargeant stack up, and what do the numbers tell us about their races in Bahrain?

In many regards, it’s a lot more challenging to be a rookie driver in Formula 1 in the modern era. Testing is considerably more limited than it ever was, and the days of newcomers being granted endless track time in closed-door sessions away from the prying eyes of the media offered a low-pressure environment for them to learn their craft. 

Consider some of the great rookie performances of the last 20 years, and the context of unadulterated odometer-ticking days at Jerez or Barcelona perhaps knocks some of the shine off – Lewis Hamilton’s podium first time out in Melbourne and Sebastian Vettel’s points-scoring run at Indianapolis were aided considerably by testing programmes and the days of third cars in practice sessions respectively.  

shares
comments

Mercedes must commit to one F1 car concept, says Wolff

Alonso still getting used to Aston Martin F1 car's steering quirks

More from Jake Boxall-Legge

Alonso showed championship credentials on F1 debut - ex-Minardi boss

Alonso showed championship credentials on F1 debut - ex-Minardi boss

F1 Formula 1

Alonso showed championship credentials on F1 debut - ex-Minardi boss Alonso showed championship credentials on F1 debut - ex-Minardi boss

How "only tough" Tost's public lack of trust could hurt AlphaTauri

How "only tough" Tost's public lack of trust could hurt AlphaTauri

Plus
Plus
F1 Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP

How "only tough" Tost's public lack of trust could hurt AlphaTauri How "only tough" Tost's public lack of trust could hurt AlphaTauri

Alonso: Saudi GP practice will be "like a test day" after Bahrain F1 running

Alonso: Saudi GP practice will be "like a test day" after Bahrain F1 running

F1 Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP

Alonso: Saudi GP practice will be "like a test day" after Bahrain F1 running Alonso: Saudi GP practice will be "like a test day" after Bahrain F1 running

Why Mercedes is fronting up to its F1 mistakes too much

Why Mercedes is fronting up to its F1 mistakes too much

Plus
Plus
F1 Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP

Why Mercedes is fronting up to its F1 mistakes too much Why Mercedes is fronting up to its F1 mistakes too much

Ex-Renault tech chief Chester set for Andretti F1 role

Ex-Renault tech chief Chester set for Andretti F1 role

F1 Formula 1

Ex-Renault tech chief Chester set for Andretti F1 role Ex-Renault tech chief Chester set for Andretti F1 role

Friday favourite: The seaside circuit that a double DTM champion made his own

Friday favourite: The seaside circuit that a double DTM champion made his own

DTM DTM

Friday favourite: The seaside circuit that a double DTM champion made his own Friday favourite: The seaside circuit that a double DTM champion made his own

10 things we learned at the 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix

10 things we learned at the 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix

F1 Formula 1
Bahrain GP

10 things we learned at the 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix 10 things we learned at the 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix

Bahrain Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023

Bahrain Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023

Plus
Plus
F1 Formula 1
Bahrain GP

Bahrain Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023

How "only tough" Tost's public lack of trust could hurt AlphaTauri

How "only tough" Tost's public lack of trust could hurt AlphaTauri

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
Jake Boxall-Legge

How "only tough" Tost's public lack of trust could hurt AlphaTauri How "only tough" Tost's public lack of trust could hurt AlphaTauri

What Perez's Jeddah joy means for F1’s 2023 hopes for a real title fight

What Perez's Jeddah joy means for F1’s 2023 hopes for a real title fight

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
Alex Kalinauckas

What Perez's Jeddah joy means for F1’s 2023 hopes for a real title fight What Perez's Jeddah joy means for F1’s 2023 hopes for a real title fight

Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023

Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
Alex Kalinauckas

Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023

How Perez kept Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP surge at bay

How Perez kept Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP surge at bay

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
Jake Boxall-Legge

How Perez kept Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP surge at bay How Perez kept Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP surge at bay

The enormous job facing F1 for its Vegas gamble to pay off

The enormous job facing F1 for its Vegas gamble to pay off

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Las Vegas GP
GP Racing

The enormous job facing F1 for its Vegas gamble to pay off The enormous job facing F1 for its Vegas gamble to pay off

Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come

Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
Jonathan Noble

Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come

How the F1 driver expression saga continues to have a Lineker-like problem

How the F1 driver expression saga continues to have a Lineker-like problem

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
Alex Kalinauckas

How the F1 driver expression saga continues to have a Lineker-like problem How the F1 driver expression saga continues to have a Lineker-like problem

Why a Mercedes U-turn couldn't deny Sauber's F1 debut surprise

Why a Mercedes U-turn couldn't deny Sauber's F1 debut surprise

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Adam Cooper

Why a Mercedes U-turn couldn't deny Sauber's F1 debut surprise Why a Mercedes U-turn couldn't deny Sauber's F1 debut surprise