Is this F1's most underrated driver of 2023?
OPINION: Now that Formula 1 has four big-name teams rather than three, it's much easier for stellar drives from the midfield runners to go under the radar. Esteban Ocon has arguably been the most quietly impressive racer of the 2023 'second division' - although his year hardly got off to the best start...
If you were to walk through one of Formula 1's fanzones and ask 100 people who the best driver of 2023 has been so far, there'd probably be a near 50-50 split between Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso. A few anomalies might emerge, as per the whims of natural biases, but the overwhelming majority would surely opt for one of those two protagonists.
How about the year's best drives? That's probably a bit trickier. Lance Stroll's broken-handed heroics in Bahrain should get a mention, as should Sergio Perez's Saudi Arabia win, or any of Max Verstappen's 'see ya later, alligator' disappearing acts to victory. But in this writer's opinion, the answer is none of the above: Esteban Ocon's dazzling run to the podium in Monaco was the standout thus far. Of the driver ratings that I've been in charge of putting together, the vertically gifted Frenchman's drive was closest to reaching the golden 10.
The fans that offer a ray of light in an increasingly partisan F1
The fans that offer a ray of light in an increasingly partisan F1 The fans that offer a ray of light in an increasingly partisan F1
How Verstappen’s crushing Japanese GP win showed Singapore was a blip
How Verstappen’s crushing Japanese GP win showed Singapore was a blip How Verstappen’s crushing Japanese GP win showed Singapore was a blip
Verstappen explains "tight" McLaren battle into F1 Japanese GP first corner
Verstappen explains "tight" McLaren battle into F1 Japanese GP first corner Verstappen explains "tight" McLaren battle into F1 Japanese GP first corner
F1 Japanese GP: Verstappen cruises to victory, Red Bull ties up constructors' crown
F1 Japanese GP: Verstappen cruises to victory, Red Bull ties up constructors' crown F1 Japanese GP: Verstappen cruises to victory, Red Bull ties up constructors' crown
Norris: Hard to beat Verstappen unless Piastri emulates Senna/Prost in Japan F1 race
Norris: Hard to beat Verstappen unless Piastri emulates Senna/Prost in Japan F1 race Norris: Hard to beat Verstappen unless Piastri emulates Senna/Prost in Japan F1 race
F1 Japanese GP: Verstappen streaks to dominant pole over Piastri by 0.581s
F1 Japanese GP: Verstappen streaks to dominant pole over Piastri by 0.581s F1 Japanese GP: Verstappen streaks to dominant pole over Piastri by 0.581s
What we learned from Friday practice at the F1 Japanese GP
What we learned from Friday practice at the F1 Japanese GP What we learned from Friday practice at the F1 Japanese GP
F1 Japanese GP: Verstappen on top again in FP2 as Gasly crashes late on
F1 Japanese GP: Verstappen on top again in FP2 as Gasly crashes late on F1 Japanese GP: Verstappen on top again in FP2 as Gasly crashes late on
Golden autumn in the Green Hell: October's Nurburgring highlights
Golden autumn in the Green Hell: October's Nurburgring highlights Golden autumn in the Green Hell: October's Nurburgring highlights
Horner: Red Bull must try to keep "riding the wave" of 2023 F1 success
Horner: Red Bull must try to keep "riding the wave" of 2023 F1 success Horner: Red Bull must try to keep "riding the wave" of 2023 F1 success
MotoGP Japanese GP: Martin cuts Bagnaia's points lead with sprint win
MotoGP Japanese GP: Martin cuts Bagnaia's points lead with sprint win MotoGP Japanese GP: Martin cuts Bagnaia's points lead with sprint win
MotoGP Japanese GP: Martin smashes lap record for pole
MotoGP Japanese GP: Martin smashes lap record for pole MotoGP Japanese GP: Martin smashes lap record for pole
When Mansell and Senna settled their differences in an F1 pitlane scuffle
When Mansell and Senna settled their differences in an F1 pitlane scuffle When Mansell and Senna settled their differences in an F1 pitlane scuffle
The F1 treasure map where Hamilton hopes Mercedes hits gold
The F1 treasure map where Hamilton hopes Mercedes hits gold The F1 treasure map where Hamilton hopes Mercedes hits gold
The two F1 rules problems Perez’s recent mishaps expose
The two F1 rules problems Perez’s recent mishaps expose The two F1 rules problems Perez’s recent mishaps expose
How football has posed difficult questions for F1
How football has posed difficult questions for F1 How football has posed difficult questions for F1
The fans that offer a ray of light in an increasingly partisan F1
The fans that offer a ray of light in an increasingly partisan F1 The fans that offer a ray of light in an increasingly partisan F1
Japanese Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Japanese Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023 Japanese Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
How Verstappen’s crushing Japanese GP win showed Singapore was a blip
How Verstappen’s crushing Japanese GP win showed Singapore was a blip How Verstappen’s crushing Japanese GP win showed Singapore was a blip
Why the reality of F1 engineering debriefs isn't what Drive to Survive makes out
Why the reality of F1 engineering debriefs isn't what Drive to Survive makes out Why the reality of F1 engineering debriefs isn't what Drive to Survive makes out
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.