‘ writers name their favourite motorsport moments of 2023 …

24/12/2023

Coming to the end of 2023, it may not be a year that many Formula 1 fans will necessarily look back on as an all-time classic.

As stunning a job as Max Verstappen and Red Bull did over the most dominant season ever seen in the sport, the lack of a championship battle meant there were few of those magical moments that will live long in the memory for years to come.

However, there were plenty of other moments that will. For the final Round Table of the year, RaceFans’ writers look back at what they will remember most from 2023.

Street tracks, Spa and Alonso at his best

I wouldn’t like to see F1 put on 24 Las Vegas Grands Prix per year, but I do want it to be successful. While the hype was excessive the backlash was predictable and often premature.

So I was genuinely pleased the event turned out to be largely successful.

For its faults, Vegas was still a successSpeaking of new races, IndyCar’s return to downtown Detroit looked like a terrible idea on paper, and I won’t pretend to be a fan of the angular circuit, but there’s no denying this race proved better than many – myself included – expected.

Early in the year we picked what we most wanted to see from the 2023 F1 season. I’m pleased to note mine came true: Spa-Francorchamps’[3] deal to host the Belgian Grand Prix was extended. Among the drives I enjoyed most this year was Frederik Vesti’s performance in the Formula 2 season finale in Abu Dhabi.

His hopes of beating Theo Pourchaire always looked slim, but he gave it everything with two battling drives, and kept his cool when Zane Maloney nearly took him out on the final lap. Luke Browning’s controlled performance in the Macau Grand Prix was one to savour, too. But what I enjoyed most about that weekend was F3 cars returning to the Guia circuit (hopefully next year someone has the sense to switch off the Drag Reduction System which is especially unnecessary on the huge run to Lisboa).

Finally, when Fernando Alonso [4] returned to Formula 1 as a near-40-year-old in 2021, I found a lot of what was written about his age lazy and presumptuous. What a joy it was to see him revelling in a competitive machine, putting clear daylight between himself and his much younger team mate, and demonstrating in no uncertain terms that he has many competitive years left in him. Any suggestion I’m biased in favour of a fellow forty-something is… undeniably accurate.

Keith Collantine

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Underdog success

Being denied the chance to step up to Formula 1 last year as the reigning Formula 2 champion was unfair on Oscar Piastri [6], so when McLaren came calling for 2023 it provided him the opportunity to really rub it in the faces of his former backers Alpine that he had more than what it took to be an F1 driver.

Boschung became a Formula 2 winner at long lastHe made Q3 on his second attempt in Saudi Arabia, but the true standout moment for proving his place on the grid came at the Belgian Grand Prix where second in practice was followed by sixth place in qualifying, second in sprint race qualifying and then the best bit: second in the sprint race itself. Piastri’s podium appearance, one place ahead of Alpine’s Pierre Gasly no less, opened the doors for even more starring drives and trophies during the Asian flyaway races.

While Piastri found success very early in F1, Ralph Boschung had to wait 96 races before he became a winner in Formula 2 and he finally managed the feat in the Bahrain season opener. He was nowhere near the front for the rest of the year’s races, so his Bahrain victory really was a moment to savour.

Another feel-good win was Taylor Barnard’s in the Formula 3 sprint race at Spa. Nailing the strategy and the wet conditions was key to winning from tenth on the grid for a Jenzer team that had last tasted victory in 2019. It’s hard to choose which of the key moments in Linus Lundqvist’s career which took place in 2023 was my favourite.

Was it the July announcement that he would be making his IndyCar debut as substitute for Meyer Shank Racing’s injured Simon Pagenaud (having failed to land a full-time ride after winning the 2022 Indy Nxt title), was it the Music City Grand Prix itself where he qualified 11th at the first attempt and set the race’s fastest lap, or Chip Ganassi’s swoop at the end of August to sign Lundqvist on a multi-year deal? The last of those three is probably my favourite, because being headhunted by a title-winning team is the ultimate reward for the patience Lundqvist had shown up to that point. A bit like Piastri.

Ida Wood

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Singapore surprise

A single moment stands out about all for me: Carlos Sainz Jnr [8] breaking Red Bull’s domination of 2023 by winning the Singapore Grand Prix.

Sainz delivered a badly-needed reprieve from Red Bull dominationThe Ferrari driver deployed his wits and intelligence to great effect. It was a result which also gave hope for the future of Formula 1’s competitiveness. For me, it served as a reminder of why I love this sport so much.

There was already a buzz in the air heading into the sweltering hot and humid race on Sunday after Max Verstappen [9] had been knocked out of qualifying after Q2, meaning he started outside the top 10.

As the race got underway, it was clear we were settling down to watch something special. Of course, on any given weekend no one can discount Red Bull, but this one felt different. Red Bull were not sandbagging, they were genuinely struggling and for the first time that season, I was optimistic we may have another race winner.

As the nail-biting race unfolded, we were offered a glimpse of this much-anticipated future for both Ferrari and Formula 1, and showed us how far Sainz had come as a driver. His quick thinking and clever strategy included ensuring second-placed Lando Norris [10] was within DRS range in the closing stages so the McLaren could keen the fast Mercedes cars at bay behind. His clever tactics not only won him the race and stopped Red Bull winning every single race of the 2023 season.

This was before a gripping finale that saw George Russell [11] throw away a podium position whilst hunting down Norris, heartbreakingly crashing on the final lap. For me, the Singapore Grand Prix was easily the best race of the season. It was the much-needed breath of fresh air we all needed.

I didn’t even mind getting sprayed by champagne during the team picture. Claire Cottingham

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NASCAR at Le Mans and a classic year for Kiwis

As fun as it was to discuss the prospects of the Philadelphia Eagles in the upcoming Super Bowl with rookie Logan Sargeant [13] at Williams’ Grove factory, plenty more highlights from 2023 come to mind.

NASCAR’s Garage 56 Le Mans entry thrilled fansIn the 100th anniversary of Le Mans, it was a joy to watch – and hear – NASCAR sending a modified Cup car to the world’s most famous endurance race. A unique use of the Garage 56 entry that was the perfect celebration of two amazing forms of motor racing – and which earned full respect for finishing the race.

Everyone involved should be commended for making it happen.

As an Australian, it takes a lot to admit that 2023 should also be remembered as the year New Zealand showed the motorsport world what a giant it is for such a modest nation. From the Formula E championship featuring two Kiwis in Nick Cassidy and Mitch Evans in the fight for the title to rookie Liam Lawson making an excellent first impression in Formula 1, standing in for the injured Daniel Ricciardo. All while Brendon Hartley took his fourth World Endurance Championship drivers crown with Toyota team mates Sebastien Buemi and Ryo Hirakawa.

The promotion of Alex Jacques to the role of Formula 1’s de facto world feed lead commentator was a joy for the ears this season as he brought his electrifyingly exuberant, eloquent and enlightening commentary style from the Channel 4 booth to more F1 fans than ever before. Former IndyCar driver James Hinchcliffe’s punditry was also world class, whether the microphone in his hand belonged to NBC or FOM. Anyone who is an enthusiast for eccentric racing driver podcasts will no doubt have cheered on Screaming Meals co-host Clement Novalak taking his first and only Formula 2 victory in “the old” feature race at Zandvoort.

Especially as good friend and co-host James Blair was there in parc ferme to celebrate with the Trident team.

Simracer Ronhaar took his revenge on the biggest stageBut the final moment has to be Thomas Ronhaar’s sensational, critic-silencing victory in the opening race of the F1 Sim Racing championship. After a year of innuendo and accusations painting the 18-year-old as a cheater – although without any formal allegations made in F1’s esports series – Ronhaar dominated the season opening in Bahrain.

From pole, the Alfa Romeo esports racer pulled away to win by five seconds from his fiercest rival – Mercedes’ Jarno Opmeer, a two-times champion. Taking the flag, Ronhaar stared directly down the camera – a finger pressed firmly to his lips.

Opmeer shook his hand and later publicly admitted his rival had “proven everyone wrong – including me”. As F1’s Sim Racing championship devolves into shambles, that single race may well be the last action the series ever sees. But what a memorable moment to end on.

Will Wood

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Over to you

Which of our writers do you agree or disagree with?

What were your favourite motorsport moments of the year?

Have your say in the comments.

Round Table

Browse all Round Table articles [15][1][2]

References

^ Max Verstappen (www.racefans.net)
^ this race proved better than many – myself included – expected (www.racefans.net)
^ Spa-Francorchamps (www.racefans.net)
^ Fernando Alonso (www.racefans.net)
^ Become a RaceFans supporter and go ad-free (www.racefans.net)
^ Oscar Piastri (www.racefans.net)
^ Become a RaceFans supporter and go ad-free (www.racefans.net)
^ Carlos Sainz Jnr (www.racefans.net)
^ Max Verstappen (www.racefans.net)
^ Lando Norris (www.racefans.net)
^ George Russell (www.racefans.net)
^ Become a RaceFans supporter and go ad-free (www.racefans.net)
^ Logan Sargeant (www.racefans.net)
^ Become a RaceFans supporter and go ad-free (www.racefans.net)
^ Browse all Round Table articles (www.racefans.net)