The Evolution of Formula 1 in 2023: A Season of Twists and Turns
Formula 1's 2023 season has been nothing short of exhilarating, marked by fierce competition and dynamic intra-team relationships. One driver who has managed to capture the spotlight is Oscar Piastri, the young Australian whose second win of the 2024 season came at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku.
Piastri first tasted victory this season at the Hungarian Grand Prix, but his triumph was not without controversy. The win was overshadowed by an incident involving his McLaren teammate, Lando Norris, adding another layer of drama to McLaren's already eventful 2023 campaign.
Oscar Piastri's journey to McLaren was fraught with its own set of challenges. After a contentious split from Alpine, who had prematurely announced Piastri as their driver for the next season in August 2022, Piastri promptly refuted the claim via Twitter. "I understand that, without my agreement, Alpine F1 have put out a press release late this afternoon that I am driving for them next year. This is wrong and I have not signed a contract with Alpine for 2023. I will not be driving for Alpine next year," Piastri declared, setting the stage for a legal battle that would ultimately unfold in McLaren's favor.
The move to McLaren proved to be the right one. After the team started their 2023 season with the sacking of technical director James Key, they found themselves leading the constructors' championship by mid-season. Both Piastri and Norris were now in prime positions to contest for the drivers' title, underscoring McLaren's transformation from a potential midfield team to a championship-contending powerhouse. "I more or less knew or had the expectation McLaren would be a midfield team. To then go towards a tail-end team in the first part of last year to potentially a championship-winning team now, I couldn't have predicted it in my wildest dreams," Piastri remarked.
During the Baku race, Norris played a crucial role in aiding his teammate by holding up Red Bull’s Sergio Pérez during the critical pit-stop phase. Both Piastri and Norris have each secured two wins in the 2023 season, but it's Norris who leads in qualifying battles and overall points. Holding a 32-point advantage over Piastri and leading the head-to-head 14-3, Norris is the closest challenger to championship leader Max Verstappen.
Reflecting on the season, Piastri has acknowledged the steep learning curve that comes with competing at the highest level of motorsport. "Until you get to F1, there's not really any races with strategy; it's basically just drive as fast as you can from start to finish," he explained. The intricacies of strategic gameplay in Formula 1 posed new challenges for Piastri, who adapted remarkably well during his rookie season. "So there's a lot of new experiences last year with that. Until you actually experience it, it's hard to imagine what it's like and that's where the naivety came in as a rookie," he added.
Despite the highs and lows, Piastri remains focused on maintaining his performance. "I think for me it's still been a bit of a case of consistency. And when you're fighting at the front for so many points, it can have a big impact on your result and your points. I think it's a case of being consistently at my peak," he said.
Piastri's reflection on his 18-month journey with McLaren highlights the emotional rollercoaster that has defined his career thus far. "Even in those 18 months, the benefit of making that decision has gone through a hell of a rollercoaster," he admitted. The young driver has seen McLaren evolve rapidly, and he has been a pivotal part of that transition, transforming the team into a formidable force on the grid.
As the 2023 season continues to unfold, both Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris are poised to challenge the dominance of Max Verstappen. With McLaren's resurgence, the battle for the championship promises to deliver more thrills and unexpected turns, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.