Driver changes ahead of the 2023 Formula One Season - Kalkine Media

The wait is almost over. The 2023 Formula One season is just around the corner, and excitement levels are reaching all-time highs ahead of the new campaign. Max Verstappen had a record-breaking year in 2022, and he picked up 17 victories en route to his second consecutive world championship. Oddschecker, which compares F1 odds and free offers, makes the Flying Dutchman the odds-on favourite to retain his crown once again next season. And let's face it, none of us are truly surprised at that. 

But Super Max may have to endure more of a battle next term. Ferrari returned to the front of the grid last season and picked up a number of victories. Had it not been for poor decision-making from the pit wall, Charles Leclerc may have been in championship contention, and they will have plenty of pace once again next term. 

Mercedes also improved to no end throughout the second half of last season. Lewis Hamilton picked up a string of second places, while his upstart teammate George Russell picked up his maiden victory in Brazil in the penultimate Grand Prix of the season. Last year was the first campaign in Hamilton’s illustrious 15-year career in which he didn’t win a single race, and he will be aiming to return to the front of the grid once again this year. 

Throughout the grid, there have been a number of driver changes that should shake up the competition in the upcoming campaign. Let's take a look at how Formula One’s annual silly season has left the grid looking. 

Fernando Alonso to Aston Martin 

The biggest coup of the season has to be awarded to Aston Martin. They shocked the entire paddock last season when they announced that two-time world champion Fernando Alonso would be replacing the retiring Sebastian Vettel. The Spanish driver had a brilliant campaign for Alpine last season, leading them to fourth place in the constructors’ championship. However, he endured a fractious relationship with teammate Esteban Ocon, and it seems that the French team sided with their French driver.

Pierre Gasly to Alpine

With Alonso departing, Alpine took the opportunity to create an all-French driver lineup when they announced the arrival of Pierre Gasly from AlphaTauri. The talented Frenchman is one of the most consistent drivers on the grid and he has a race victory under his belt. He endured a difficult campaign last season. However, he will be aiming to get back to his best this year. 

Nyck De Vries to AlphaTauri 

AlphaTauri replaced the outgoing Gasly with former Mercedes third driver Nyck De Vries. The talented Dutchman impressed with his one and only Grand Prix last season. He led his Williams to ninth place at the Italian Grand Prix, which was one of only five points finishes for the British team. 

Nico Hülkenberg to Haas

Mick Schumacher has departed Haas after a couple of difficult campaigns. He was often overshadowed on numerous occasions last season by his more experienced teammate Kevin Magnussen. Guenther Steiner took the opportunity to bring in another experienced driver, Nico Hülkenberg, in the close season. It will be interesting to see how this driver pairing fairs as the duo has had numerous disagreements in the past. 

Oscar Piastri to McLaren 

McLaren ended their partnership with Daniel Ricciardo one year earlier than expected. The former Red Bull driver hasn’t produced the results that the British team expected of him and as such, he has been relieved of his duties. He has been replaced with another Aussie, the highly-rated Oscar Piastri. The 21-year-old has F2 and F3 championships under his belt, and he will be hoping to continue his development with McLaren. 

Logan Sargeant to Williams 

Nicholas Latifi - or GOATifi to us mere mortals - had a difficult time of it in Formula One. He’s left Williams after two seasons with the back markers and has been replaced by Logan Sargeant. The 22-year-old becomes the first American in eight years to feature in F1.