Our Top 50 drivers of the year… (10th to 6st)

> Our Top 50 drivers of the year 2023… (50th to 41st)
> Our Top 50 drivers of the year 2023… (40th to 31st)
> Our Top 50 drivers of the year 2023… (30th to 21st)
> Our Top 50 drivers of the year 2023… (20th to 11st)

10. James Calado

Winner of the Centenary of 24 Hours of Le Mans 2023 at the wheel of the Ferrari 499P n°51

It is difficult to single out one of the three elements of the winning trio at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Ferrari made a resounding return to sports-proto racing by winning the Centenary of the Sarthe classic with its No. 499 51P co-driven by Antonio Giovinazzi, Alessandro Pier Guidi and James Calado. For the latter two, it is a third success in Sarthe, all acquired together, but the first in the general classification. The first two victories, signed in 2019 and 2021, were in the GTE Pro category on Ferrari 488 GTE Evos. This third therefore takes on even greater importance for the duo since it was obtained in the premier category against the five-time title holders. Toyota. Unfortunately for the Englishman, the Prancing Horse Hypercar was not able to maintain the pace of the Japanese manufacturer over time to challenge for the world title until the end. Never mind, he put his name on the list of the biggest car races in the world, and that's what we'll remember a century from now.

James Calado, surrounded by Antonio Giovinazzi and Alessandro Pier Guidi, celebrate his victory at the 24 2023 Hours of Le Mans with Ferrari / © DPPI

9. Josef Newgarden

Winner of the 500 Indianapolis 2023, 5th in the championship IndyCar, 4 victories

Josef Newgarden successfully completed his 2023 year on May 28 in Indianapolis. The American driver joined the list of prestigious Indy 500 winners in extremely rare circumstances. For the first time since 1973, the race was interrupted three times due to several accidents. Rejected in 17th place during qualifying, Josef Newgarden was absolutely not one of the favorites before kick-off. But thanks to suitable settings and a good sense of his environment which allowed him to avoid pile-ups, the Penske driver returned to the leading group before the final sprint. His management of restarts was optimal, even during the penultimate round. The leader Marcus Ericsson (Chip Ganassi Racing) thought he had done the hardest part by taking several lengths ahead at the first corner, but a turn 1-2 sequence perfectly negotiated with his foot to the floor by Newgarden allowed the latter to overtake him at the aspiration in the opposite straight line. A masterpiece of its kind, which was not the end of the Newgarden season, marked by off-track events and other errors (2nd in the championship in August, 5th after the final at the beginning of September).

Josef Newgarden finally drinks whey by winning the legendary 500 Miles of Indianapolis with Penske. / © IndyCar Media

8. Carlos Sainz

7th in the 2023 world championship Formula 1 2023, one victory, only non-pilotRed Bull to impose oneself

The Spaniard from the Scuderia is the only driver who can boast of having beaten Red Bull this year. In Singapore, the Madrilenian impressed, particularly with his race management and his intelligence. His choice to keep Lando Norris in his DRS allowed him to defend himself from the return of Mercedes. Beyond its success, Carlos Sainz demonstrated solidity by making the most of an SF23, which was very often behind the competition. When this offered him the opportunity to play in front, the Spaniard did not miss his chance as evidenced by his pole position at Monza in front of the fans and his teammate Charles Leclerc. 2023 allowed him to assert himself a little more within the Scuderia while encouraging him to continue the adventure with him beyond 2024.

By winning the Singapore GP in style, Carlos Sainz prevented Red Bull from having a perfect season. / © DPPI

7.Lewis Hamilton

3rd for the 1 Formula 2023 world champion, six podiums, one pole position

The Briton has been more than an exceptional champion for several seasons now. Even more! Today, if Formula 1 has a face, it is his. Lewis Hamilton, through his struggles on and off the track, has become the archetypal Grand Prix driver. The archangel of Liberty Media! As valiant and precise as when he was 20, as hungry and incisive despite his 103 victories and 7 world titles, he is also driven by a thirst for revenge which will only be quenched when he has acquired this 8th world title of which he believes he was unfairly deprived in 2021. At the same time, explaining the longevity of the native of Stevenage (United Kingdom) by this simple feeling would be most simplistic even if it is most powerful. If the man is in every way the same – plus experience – as when he started in 2007, if he is driven by the same desire to win, it is also because Formula 1 is his home before to be his kingdom. The lack of success and the frustrations still felt this season should have precipitated his abdication, but King Lewis is certainly not ready to let go of his scepter. The Star does not fade.

In Hungary, a circuit where he has won eight times, Lewis Hamilton took his first pole position since Saudi Arabia 2021. / © DPPI

6. Charles Leclerc

5th in the 1 Formula 2023 world champion, six podiums, five pole positions

To best understand the Monegasque's performance, it is appropriate to analyze his results by putting them into perspective with the misfortune that has regularly accompanied him since his arrival at Ferrari. 2023 was no exception to the rule. An engine which failed in the first race in Bahrain while he was heading towards the podium, a penalty of ten places from the second, several retirements, a disqualification, and even a missed start, the results are once again painful. In this context, we must therefore stick to the visual impression and it is clear that it was still very good, particularly in the flying trick exercise where he remains one of the strongest in the exercise. (5 pole positions + 1 in Shootout). If the Scuderia's only victory this season had fallen to him rather than that of Carlos Sainz, Leclerc would surely have entered our top 5. Despite everything, he remains one of the most highly rated drivers on the current grid. In great form at the end of the season, he notably signed the overtaking of the year in Las Vegas by overtaking Sergio Pérez on the very last lap of the event contested in the streets of Sin City.

Bad luck and intact steering, this is the summary of Charles Leclerc's 2023 season, here on the podium of the Abu Dhabi final. / © DPPI