The season is over, as are the power rankings for 2023. Which means it’s now time to find out just where the drivers rank in the real standings at the end of the season.
Okay okay okay, at least the real standings in my head! But this has been a fun season (behind the obvious dominance of one driver) to rank given just how up and down the results behind Max Verstappen have been.
But before the rankings, one final disclaimer for 2023. With any power rankings, these are subjective and based purely on opinion mixed with results. Are these 100 per cent accurate? Inside my mind, yes! Outside of it, no. But it’s a nice way to spark some discussion, showcase some form and allow a conversation that brings F1 fans closer together – and maybe also further apart at the same time.
Fun, right? Always!
To make it extra interesting on the drivers front, rather than rank all 20 drivers on the grid, I have made it more streamlined and easier by simply bringing the top 10 drivers.
You can also check out my team power rankings too for a similar analysis.
Right, let’s get to the rankings.
10. Oscar Piastri (new)
Sneaks just back in to the top ten based on his qualifying performance. Overall a great season by the rookie and showed exactly why he was so highly sought after.
9. Lewis Hamilton (-)
It feels almost wrong to have Hamilton this far down given he was the most consistent driver behind Max Verstappen all season. However his last few races just weren’t all there, while others around him were. But it was still a very good season for Lewis despite not having the car to show off what he is fully capable of.
8. Lance Stroll (-2)
Didn’t quite match the highs of the last couple of rounds but still did enough to claim a point. A great end to the season to secure him his first ever top ten finish in the Championship. Let’s hope he can close the gap to his teammate a bit more in 2024.
(Photo by Motorsport Week)
7. Fernando Alonso (+1)
Similar to what I wrote about Hamilton above, feels weird to have Fernando this low given the season he had. It was a bit of a quiet race for him on Sunday but six points is still six points and he claimed his highest finish in the Driver’s Championship in a decade. Look out 2024, Fernando is still here.
6. George Russell (+4)
A great race by Russell to secure his second podium for the season. It was wildly inconsistent by him in 2023, but was far closer to his teammate than the points suggested. Overall he was beaten by Hamilton, but gets the nod on this list based on his performance in the final race.
5. Carlos Sainz (-1)
It all went pear shaped for Sainz after his Q1 elimination on Saturday and the lack of safety car on Sunday cost him any chance of points. However he will hold his head up high after a solid year for Ferrari and the only driver to win a race that wasn’t in a Red Bull in 2023.
(Photo by PlanetF1)
4. Lando Norris (+3)
Despite not getting anywhere near the podium and having his pace drop off significantly in the race, Norris does enough to jump right back into the top five after an amazing second half to the year. That first win is so so close and there isn’t a single F1 fan who won’t be crossing all their fingers and toes in 2024 that it finally comes his way.
3. Sergio Perez (-)
A great Sunday drive by Checo should’ve been rewarded with a podium, but a contentious penalty put that to bed. Overall he ends the season happy with runner-up to Verstappen, but the gap between the two should not have been that big. All the pressure will remain on him in 2024 as he gets one more chance to show he is worthy of keeping his seat at Red Bull.
2. Charles Leclerc (-)
Another incredible qualifying performance and another podium. A great end to the year for Leclerc who really looked nowhere near this place at the beginning of the season. Let’s just hope he can take some of this form into 2024 when all Ferrari fans will be hoping that finally that is the year to break their title drought.
1. Max Verstappen (-)
An amazing season from an amazing driver. Easily the greatest single season the sport has ever seen. Simply lovely.
What do you think of these rankings? Do you agree with the positions? Let me know what you think in the comments below.