How the brutality of F1's new class system will hit in 2023
OPINION: It may not look it from afar, but the 2023 Formula 1 season is building up to be one of the closest campaigns in years – just not at the very front. Behind the Red Bull domination, the margins are closer than ever. And judging by what played out in Australia, this is having a remarkable impact on the pack
Red Bull’s dominance of Formula 1 this year poses a clear risk of being a turn-off for those who think there is no point tuning in on a Sunday to watch the same team win. While we may well be set for a pretty one-sided affair when it comes to the F1 championship battle, what is important not to overlook is that elsewhere the grid has never looked as competitive as it does right now. In fact, there appear to be signs of a significant revolution in which F1 has moved from a clear class system of frontrunners, a midfield and backmarkers.
Now, that has all been wiped away and there is literally nothing that separates a bunch of squads from a weekend of Q3 and points joy to one of Q1 exit misery. The swings of positions that come from finding a couple of tenths with the latest upgrade, or the pain that is triggered from a lock-up on a final qualifying lap, are extreme and brutal for those on the losing end. There are probably just four teams – Red Bull, Mercedes, Ferrari and Aston Martin - that don’t have to worry too much about this potential to be Q1 chumps. For the rest, every weekend is a case of walking that tightrope.
Ferrari: "Tough" sidepod switch about long-term F1 development opportunities
Ferrari: "Tough" sidepod switch about long-term F1 development opportunities Ferrari: "Tough" sidepod switch about long-term F1 development opportunities
Hamilton fears he may not make F1 Spanish GP Q3
Hamilton fears he may not make F1 Spanish GP Q3 Hamilton fears he may not make F1 Spanish GP Q3
Alonso would have led F1 Monaco GP without extra pitstop, says Aston
Alonso would have led F1 Monaco GP without extra pitstop, says Aston Alonso would have led F1 Monaco GP without extra pitstop, says Aston
Perez: Monaco GP “hurt” exposed wrong F1 approach
Perez: Monaco GP “hurt” exposed wrong F1 approach Perez: Monaco GP “hurt” exposed wrong F1 approach
Mercedes adds to upgrade package as top F1 teams reveal changes
Mercedes adds to upgrade package as top F1 teams reveal changes Mercedes adds to upgrade package as top F1 teams reveal changes
F1 needs stewards rethink to replace "laymen" decisions, demands Steiner
F1 needs stewards rethink to replace "laymen" decisions, demands Steiner F1 needs stewards rethink to replace "laymen" decisions, demands Steiner
Ferrari’s new Red Bull-style F1 sidepods revealed in Spain
Ferrari’s new Red Bull-style F1 sidepods revealed in Spain Ferrari’s new Red Bull-style F1 sidepods revealed in Spain
The war reality that shines a light on the job Red Bull is doing
The war reality that shines a light on the job Red Bull is doing The war reality that shines a light on the job Red Bull is doing
Live: F1 Spanish GP updates - FP3 and qualifying
Live: F1 Spanish GP updates - FP3 and qualifying Live: F1 Spanish GP updates - FP3 and qualifying
WRC Sardinia: Ogier reclaims lead from Lappi as water splashes wreak havoc
WRC Sardinia: Ogier reclaims lead from Lappi as water splashes wreak havoc WRC Sardinia: Ogier reclaims lead from Lappi as water splashes wreak havoc
Stella: "Hats off to Red Bull" for complex F1 floor design
Stella: "Hats off to Red Bull" for complex F1 floor design Stella: "Hats off to Red Bull" for complex F1 floor design
First races of 2023 Isle of Man TT delayed due to serious road traffic incident
First races of 2023 Isle of Man TT delayed due to serious road traffic incident First races of 2023 Isle of Man TT delayed due to serious road traffic incident
The war reality that shines a light on the job Red Bull is doing
The war reality that shines a light on the job Red Bull is doing The war reality that shines a light on the job Red Bull is doing
How Mercedes' new F1 upgrades fared - and what's next for the revitalised W14
How Mercedes' new F1 upgrades fared - and what's next for the revitalised W14 How Mercedes' new F1 upgrades fared - and what's next for the revitalised W14
Why the highlight of F1 2023 so far should end Monaco's calendar slot debate
Why the highlight of F1 2023 so far should end Monaco's calendar slot debate Why the highlight of F1 2023 so far should end Monaco's calendar slot debate
Monaco Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Monaco Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023 Monaco Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Why Alonso and Aston made the call that guaranteed Verstappen's Monaco victory
Why Alonso and Aston made the call that guaranteed Verstappen's Monaco victory Why Alonso and Aston made the call that guaranteed Verstappen's Monaco victory
The factors for and against a Red Bull upset in F1’s Monaco GP
The factors for and against a Red Bull upset in F1’s Monaco GP The factors for and against a Red Bull upset in F1’s Monaco GP
What Aston Martin's Honda deal reveals about its true F1 mindset
What Aston Martin's Honda deal reveals about its true F1 mindset What Aston Martin's Honda deal reveals about its true F1 mindset
Would Hamilton really be a worthwhile F1 investment for Ferrari?
Would Hamilton really be a worthwhile F1 investment for Ferrari? Would Hamilton really be a worthwhile F1 investment for Ferrari?
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.