Formula One 2023 Preview: Odds, Predictions and Favourites

John Sampson February 21, 2023

The start of the new season is just a couple of weeks away and we are all ready to see how the constructors and the drivers adapted to last year’s new regulations that brought change to the sport. The second year of a new era (meaning the Formula One 2023 season) brings about the most excitement at a point in time, where all of us wait for a better, more competitive championship. Last year, Max Verstappen and Red Bull dominated the grid (with Sergio Perez being also an ideal partner), as the Dutch driver won his second F1 title. Will he manage to make it three in a row? Let’s see this year’s teams and drivers, the F1 calendar, but most importantly the odds, the big favourites, and our bold predictions.

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Formula One 2023 Calendar

This year’s F1 calendar is pretty interesting as we are ready to attend the longest season to date. There are 23 races scheduled, including one new entry and one returning circuit to the calendar. Potentially, there will be one more race added on 16th April, after the decision not to include the Chinese GP in this month, leaving a huge gap in between.

1. Bahrain GP (Sakhir) – 5 March
2. Saudi Arabia GP (Jeddah) – 19 March
3. Australian GP (Melbourne) – 2 April
4. TBC
5. Azerbaijan GP (Baku) – 30 April
6. Miami GP (Miami) – 7 May
7. Emilia Romana GP (Imola) – 21 May
8. Monaco GP (Monaco) – 28 May
9. Spanish GP (Barcelona) – 4 June
10. Canadian GP (Montreal) – 18 June
11. Austrian GP (Spielberg) – 2 July
12. British GP (Silverstone) – 9 July
13. Hungarian GP (Budapest) – 23 July
14. Belgium GP (Spa) – 30 July
15. Netherlands GP (Zandvoort) 27 August
16. Italian GP (Monza) – 3 September
17. Singapore GP (Singapore) – 17 September
18. Japanese GP (Suzuka) – 24 September
19. Qatar GP (Lusail) – 8 October
20. USA GP (Austin) – 22 October
21. Mexican GP (Mexico) – 29 October
22. Brazilian GP (Sao Paulo) – 5 November
23. Las Vegas GP (Las Vegas) – 18 November
24. Abu Dhabi GP (Yas Marina) – 26 November

Formula One 2023 Teams and Drivers

Meet the 10 teams

Red Bull

Country: Austria
Engine: Honda
Base: Milton Keynes, UK
Drivers: Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez
Test Driver: Daniel Ricciardo

Ferrari

Country: Italy
Engine: Ferrari
Base: Maranello, Italy
Drivers: Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz Jr.
Test Driver: Antonio Giovinazzi

Mercedes

Country: Germany
Engine: Mercedes-AMG
Base: Northamptonshire, UK
Drivers: Lewis Hamilton, George Russell
Test Driver: Mick Schumacher

Alpine

Country: France
Engine: Renault
Base: Enstone, UK
Drivers: Pierre Gasly, Esteban Ocon
Test Driver: Jack Doohan (?)

McLaren

Country: United Kingdom
Engine: Mercedes-AMG
Base: Woking, UK
Drivers: Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri
Test Driver: Alex Palou

Alpha Tauri

Country: Italy
Engine: Honda
Base: Faenza, Italy
Drivers: Yuki Tsunoda, Nyck De Vries

Aston Martin

Country: United Kingdom
Engine: Mercedes-AMG
Base: Silverstone, UK
Drivers: Fernando Alonso, Lance Stroll
Test Drivers: Stoffel Vandoorne, Felipe Drugovich

Williams

Country: United Kingdom
Engine: Mercedes-AMG
Base: Grove, UK
Drivers: Alexander Albon, Logan Sargeant

Alfa Romeo

Country: Switzerland
Engine: Ferrari
Base: Zurich, Switzerland
Drivers: Valtteri Bottas, Guanyu Zhou
Test Drivers: Theo Pourchaire

Haas

Country: USA
Engine: Ferrari
Base: Kannapolis, USA
Drivers: Kevin Magnussen, Nico Hulkenberg
Test Drivers: Pietro Fittipaldi

Team Principal Changes

The F1 offseason was interesting and not just for the divers. The domino of changes was wild, even when it comes to team leaders and officials. Mattia Binotto resigned as Team Principal of Ferrari in November, leaving the Scuderia searching for a replacement. The Frenchman Frederic Vasseur left Alfa Romeo’s pit to move upwards. Sauber (which is running the Alfa Romeo team) appointed former McLaren Team Principal Andreas Seidl as their new CEO. Sauber Group Managing Director Alessandro Alunni Bravi has been given the role of “Team Representative”.

Seidl’s departure meant that McLaren was on the hunt for a new leader on the pit wall. Zac Brown promoted Andrea Stella to the role of Team Principal. Jost Capito left his role as Team Principal of Williams, just two seasons after his appointment, with the team at the bottom of the standings. Williams announced the appointment of Mercedes’ Strategy Chief James Vowles as their new Team Principal, a member of nine world championship-winning seasons, with Brawn and Mercedes.

Formula One 2023 Favourites

Max Verstappen is ready to defend his title once more, but this time it will not be that easy. Due to the cost cap infringement penalty, Red Bull will not perform at full force, despite having the best driver on the grid and maybe the best crew in the paddock. Lewis Hamilton wants to win his 8th title, but it will not be that easy. The fight between these two is personal. George Russel managed to win his first race last year, stating that he is the next big thing in the sport.

Charles Leclerc was unlucky last season. He won many pole positions, but every Sunday was a surprise, regarding Ferrari cars’ performance. The Monegascue hopes for the easiest season under Vasseur (full of tactical stability) but having an ambitious partner, such as Carlos Sainz, near him, is always a tough challenge.

Drivers Championship Odds

Max Verstappen (Netherlands, Red Bull) – 1.80
Lewis Hamilton (UK, Mercedes) – 3.75
Charles Leclerc (Monaco, Ferrari) – 7.00
George Russell (UK, Mercedes) – 8.00
Carlos Sainz Jr (Spain, Ferrari) – 23.00
Sergio Pérez (Mexico, Red Bull) – 26.00
Fernando Alonso (Spain, Aston Martin) – 101.00
Lando Norris (UK, McLaren) – 101.00
Esteban Ocon (France, Alpine) – 201.00
Pierre Gasly (France, Alpine) – 251.00

See all the odds here

Constructors Championship Odds

Red Bull – 1.85
Mercedes – 2.40
Ferrari – 6.00
Alpine – 101.00
McLaren – 101.00

See the latest odds here

F1 2023 Predictions

Keeping all this information in mind, it is always thrilling to make your own predictions, especially for a season such as Formula One 2023. F1 is a sport full of secrets and strategy, meaning that it has its very own F1 betting guide. Trying to keep the excitement at ease, here are our predictions for this season.

Mercedes to win the constructors championship

Mercedes has a legend and maybe the most talented young driver of the grid behind the wheels. The differences will not be this huge, as we talk for a team that made many changes midseason, elevating the car faster than usual. They won a race in 2022, despite the huge porpoising issue, so the chances are in their favour. Formula One 2023 is another topic, where Toto Wolff will try to reach the top again.

Most Overtakes – Fernando Alonso

The Spanish two-time world champion moved from Alpine to Aston Martin. Aston Martin was not as competitive as Alpine last year and maybe this will be the case in 2023. Alonso will have the negative effect of qualifying in not so many Q3, meaning that he will be forced to start back on the grid. His talent and experience are undoubting though, meaning that he will easily gain some position against younger drivers.

Lando Norris to win his first race

Norris is one of the most talented drivers on the grid. He finished on the podium six times in his career, reaching the 2nd seat once. He is always near the big sharks of the championship, remaining the only driver who can compete with the huge names without being a member of the top-3 teams. Betting on Norris’s first F1 win ever is a wager perfectly paired with deposit bonus betting.

Alpine to reach the podium

Alpine is always a team which wants to compete with the best. Alonso left but Pierre Gasly is something more than a decent replacement. Leaving the Piastri saga behind, the French team counts a lot to this new pair (both he and Ocon have won a race). The talent is definitely here and, with a good strategy and a bit of luck, Alpine will have its chance to finish high.

Sergio Perez out of Red Bull before the end of the season

Sergio Perez couldn’t perform at the highest level in the second half of last season, but there is also the Brazilian GP team orders when Max Verstappen chose not to help his teammate. These struggles may be too much for the Mexican and a confrontation with the team could mean his exit from Red Bull, especially if the season is hard for everyone in the paddock.

Lewis Hamilton to win his eight

Despite Red Bull’s drama, Mercedes can count on both of its drivers. Hamilton will perform at its highest and with a reliable car he could bounce back easily. Having a teammate such as Russel is always a plus, as the British will be a valuable help in the battle with Red Bull and Ferrari.

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Nyck de Vries will reach a top-5 finish, even a podium

Nyck De Vries proved his worth last year after securing points for Williams. We think, that in a race full of incidents and wet weather, he could be in the right place at the right time to snatch a top-5 finish, even a podium, as he is ready to be the No.1 in Alpha Tauri.

HAAS to be better than Alfa Romeo and Aston Martin

2022 was a revelation for Steiner and Haas, as the team managed to score some valuable points and finish 8th. This year the sky is the only limit, especially, when in front of them are Alfa Romeo and Aston Martin, teams that lack stability. Having Hulkenberg near Magnussen behind the wheel is always a plus, so we expect a better performance from the team.