There’s been six drivers who have been appointed a seat in the grid by a new team in the 2023 season. Two of the drivers switched teams, in Fernando Alonso and Pierre Gasly, three of the drivers are new faces in Formula One, in Oscar Piastri, Logan Sargeant, and Nick De Vries, and one of the drivers is a returning veteran, in Nico Hulkenburg. Although the season has only just begun, I’ve graded each of six drivers who are on a new team in 2023 based on their season starts compared to their expectations coming into the year.
Exceeding Expectations
Fernando Alonso – Aston Martin: A+
Although everyone knew that 2-time World Driver Championship winner Fernando Alonso was a great driver, his start to the season with Aston Martin is on another level after he earned a podium finish in each of the first three races. He also already has his new team past their previous season’s points total, as his team sits in 2nd place in the Construcor’s standings with 65 points. It will be exciting to see what the rest of the season has in store for Alonso.
Oscar Piastri – McLaren: A-
A lot of hype surrounded Australian driver Oscar Piastri before his appointment to McLaren, and now after three races, he seems to be gaining momentum as he’s scored points in the past two Formula One races. Piastri has earned 8 points in the Drivers Championship after he followed up his opening-day race crash with two 8th-place finishes. This rookie is one to watch.
Solid Start
Nico Hulkenburg – Haas: B+
Nico Hulkenburg’s appointment to Haas during the Formula One offseason was somewhat of a surprise when it happened, but it seems to have worked out for them so far as he has already picked up 6 points this season. After Haas’ disappointing short history, not much was expected for the German driver, but he’s starting to give Haas fans hope, as he’s earned a 7th, 12th, and 15th place finish to start the season.
Pierre Gasly – Alpine: B+
French driver Pierre Gasly is practically a Formula One veteran at this point but after his switch from Alpha Tauri to Alpine Racing during the offseason, it’s worth noting his performance thus far. Alpine aren’t exactly title contenders so I wouldn’t say that Gasly’s expectations for this season are very high. Nevertheless, Gasly is a gifted driver and picked up 4 Driver Championships points with back-to-back 9th-place finishes in the opening two Formula One races. He wasn’t able to finish the Australian Grand Prix, but Gasly’s start to the Formula One season definitely doesn’t cause any worry.
Need More Time
Logan Sargeant – Williams: C+
Logan Sargeant made headlines after he was announced as the first American driver in Formula One since 2007. Sargeant joins a less-competitive Williams Team and will try to find consistency in his first season. The American has yet to earn his first points in Formula One as his first three race finishes were 12th, 16th, and DNF, but he’s shown that he belongs in the top racing competition in the world. Not much was expected from Sargeant to start the season so he stays out of the below category.
Nick De Vries – Alpha Tauri: C
Dutch driver Nick De Vries was named as Alpha Tauri’s second driver after Pierre Gasly announced his departure from the team during the offseason. He has yet to earn a point this season and has two 14th place finishes in his opening two races and was unable to finish the Australian Grand Prix. I’m not worried about De Vries’ start, and neither should Alpha Tauri fans, but as the season starts going he needs to start getting results. Alpha Tauri aren’t contenders but they have a solid car, and De Vries should be more than capable of grabbing some points in the coming races.
