The great retro 2023 AUTOhebdo: the highlights of the season (3/3)

September 3: 10th victory in a row for Max Verstappen

The Dutchman erases Alberto Ascari and Sebastian Vettel tablets of the F1.

On this first weekend of September, a pole and a fratricidal fight between the house drivers during the race brought the car back to life. Team, at Monza and Formula One as a whole. The last time the old autodrome vibrated to this extent was in 2019 when Charles Leclerc had imposed itself. This time, all it took was a highly contested podium between Carlos Sainz and the same Charles Leclerc to make the Red Army stand up even if, obviously, for the 12th time of the season, victory went to Max Verstappen. On this occasion, the Dutch driver established a new record by scoring a tenth victory in a row, erasing from the record book Sebastian Vettel who had signed nine during the 2013 season. This is also the sixth double Red Bull of the season that the Ferrari surge will not have been able to stem.

Max Verstappen remained undefeated, Sprints included, from the Miami GP in early May to the Italian GP in early September… / © DPPI

September 3: Álex Palou crowned IndyCar champion

Second title in the championship Single seat North American for the Spanish pilot.

Faced with Max Verstappen's XXL performance in Formula 1, the copy rendered by Álex Palou (Chip Ganassi Racing) may leave you unmoved. The Barcelona native won “only” five races out of a total of 17 rounds and only scored two poles. That’s the “head” side of the coin. The "tails" side is more flattering: record holder for the fastest qualifying in history at Indianapolis, taking the lead in the championship from April and without interruption until the end, and above all, no retirement and 17 finishes in the top 8 while theIndyCar is an extremely competitive one-design series!
To this, let's add an extra-sporting context that is tense to say the least. Alex Palou had to get rid of a contract signed with Zak Brown to join Mclaren racing and hope to obtain a seat in hypothetical F1, in order to favor his career in IndyCar with Chip Ganassi Racing. In history, the Spaniard lost a few tens of millions of dollars, but freedom comes at a cost, after all.

Álex Palou wins his second IndyCar title in style and with one round still to go. / © IndyCar Media

September 3: Gabriel Bortoleto titled at Monza

The Brazilian's consistency is rewarded.

“Consistency is key” George Russell tended to say with amusement to justify his latest usual positions with Williams during his debut in Formula 1 2019. A message that Gabriel Bortoleto understood perfectly. We are not talking about the “sexiest” champion in the history of F3 like a Oscar piastri or a Victor Martins, but the Brazilian was content to be consistent throughout the season. In the lead at the end of the first round in Bahrain, whose victory in the Main Race went to him after Gabriele Mini's penalty, the Auriverde then knew how to manage his strong moments and his weak moments. When the car was working well, like in Australia (pole + victory), he pushed. Otherwise, he did his best but managed above all. A strategy which, combined with the irregularity of his opponents, allowed him to calmly secure the crown of champion. The figures speak for themselves with 15 points finishes in 18 starts.

Crowned FIA F3 champion in 2023, Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto has since joined the McLaren development program and will drive in F2 next year. / © DPPI

September 10: Toyota crowned world champion Hypercar Manufacturers

The Japanese manufacturer scores another double at the 6 Hours of Fuji.

Despite the hiccups of 24 Hours of Le Mans, Toyota outrageously dominated the 2023 World Championship seasonEndurance of the FIA ​​by winning the other six events on the calendar. From the 6 Hours of Fuji, the penultimate meeting of the year, the Japanese firm secured a fifth Manufacturers' title in a row, the sixth in all. A coronation awarded at the end of a race where Toyota signed a new double, far from Ferrari who have lost their splendor since the victory in Sarthe. Only the Porsche No. 6 was able to give the TGR a hard time after a first daring braking from Laurens Vanthoor at the first corner then a good defense from Kévin Estre until mid-race, when Ryo Hirakawa managed to overtake her in the last sector. Victory finally went to the trio that day Mike conway, Kamui Kobayashi and José Maria Lopez while Toyota asserted its control over a championship that the group knows by heart.

A new Hypercar Manufacturers title in WEC which does not erase the disappointment of the 24 Hours of Le Mans for Toyota. / © DPPI

September 17: Carlos Sainz wins the Singapore Grand Prix

Ferrari driver inflicts Red Bull with only defeat of the season

Without Carlos Sainz's good idea to win the Singapore Grand Prix, Red Bull would have had a smooth season, with 22 victories out of 22 possible. Taking advantage of an SF-23 at ease on urban tracks, and a big failure from Red Bull (the only one of the year...) in terms of settings, the Spaniard did the hardest part by taking pole position at Marina Bay. On Sunday, he delivered a race of crazy intelligence, deliberately slowing down the convoy, and taking advantage of the sacrifice of his teammate Charles Leclerc. To resist the assaults of Mercedes shod with fresher tires at the end of the race, the Madrilenian voluntarily offered DRS to Lando Norris to protect yourself as best as possible. Another brilliant idea. This offered the best Grand Prix of the season.

Carlos Sainz used his racing intelligence to win in Singapore. / © DPPI

September 24: Red Bull Constructors' world champion.

The Austrian team takes the crown at Suzuka, on Honda land.

A week after his disappointment in Singapore where his series of ten victories in a row ended, Max Verstappen was keen to make his RB19, already legendary, shine, especially since the “Constructor” title could be decided from this Japanese handle. For Honda, it was obviously an event not to be missed. This happiness of being crowned World Champion at home, it was Max Verstappen who was going to offer it to him at the end of an absolutely relentless performance. Best time during EL1, EL2, EL3 and qualifying, the world championship leader crossed the finish line almost 20 seconds ahead of the second place finisher. If going for Red Bull Racing's sixth world title had been the objective of the weekend, it had in no way dictated to the Dutchman any more "conservative" approach. In Japan, Max not only wanted to win, he wanted to humiliate the competition. And he succeeded.

Red Bull celebrates the 1 F2023 Manufacturers' title, acquired at the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka. / © DPPI

October 7: Qatar, coronation land for Verstappen

The Red Bull driver is crowned for the third time in his career… from Saturday!

Max Verstappen is definitely used to strange coronations in F1. In 2021, he was titled in the Abu Dhabi controversy, following an illegal decision by the race management. In 2022, it took him several dozen minutes to have his title confirmed in Japan. This time, it was at the end not of a Grand Prix but of a sprint race that the Batavian won his third crown. A sprint won by rookie Oscar Piastri, a magnificent adaptation for his first season in F1. This Qatari weekend was especially marked by the heat of Sunday, and the state of extreme exhaustion experienced by the drivers at the end of the Grand Prix, between vomiting and discomfort. The limit of the acceptable has undoubtedly been crossed, while Logan sargeant had to abandon mid-race due to exhaustion…

Max Verstappen, three-time F1 world champion. / © DPPI

October 15: Andrea Kimi Antonelli crowned in FRECA in Zandvoort

The Mercedes protégé will move directly to Formula 2 next year.

He was the most anticipated driver on the field, he did not disappoint. Jostled by a surprising Martinius Stenshorne at the start of the campaign, Andrea Kimi Antonelli gradually gained the upper hand over the Norwegian. Once he took the reins of the championship, he never let go, fully assuming his status as favorite for the title. Starting at Mugello in July, he never left the points except for one race and always 6th or better. Results which allowed him to take off and be crowned during the penultimate round of the campaign when there were still 50 points at stake. When it came time to do the accounts, he completed an exercise with 5 victories, 6 additional podiums and 4 pole positions. No surprise then to see Mercedes sending it directly from FRECA to Formula 2 in 2024.

The Italian nugget Andrea Kimi Antonelli confirms the hopes placed in him by becoming FRECA champion on his first attempt. / © FRECA

October 21: First victory in MotoGP for Johann Zarco

The end of a long wait for the Frenchman.

2 days had passed since his last appearance on the top step of the Grand Prix podium. Talent and potential, Johann Zarco has always had it. The last step still had to be taken, undoubtedly the hardest, the one which separates the eternal hopes from the race winners. By attacking his teammate Jorge Martín, a candidate for the world title, in the last lap of the Australian round, the Frenchman broke down all the psychological barriers. Zarco finally knows that he has no complexes facing the big names in his sport. This success will forever transform the man who waited 533 Grands Prix before winning. At 120, the future Honda driver puts an end to seven years of waiting and disappointments.

Frenchman Johann Zarco finally reaches his goal by winning in Australia. / © Red Bull Content Pool

October 29: 2nd WRC title for Rovanperä at the Central European Rally

The Finn was already thinking of running part-time in 2024…

There are not enough superlatives to talk about Kalle Rovanperä! The wonder of WRC struck again in 2023 with a second consecutive title acquired at just 23 years old! The Finn once again broke records for precociousness by becoming the youngest double world champion, all disciplines combined! If his season was less impressive than in 2022, it is through his situational intelligence and his maturity that the Toyota protégé has commanded admiration. Deliverance took longer to arrive in 2023, with an outcome during the Rally from Central Europe. In his duel against Elfyn Evans, Kalle Rovanperä was the strongest mentally and took advantage of his rival's exit to quietly win his second world crown. A title that he will have difficulty retaining in 2024: (already) tired of the discipline and wanting to give himself some free time, he will only compete in a partial season next year... to the great dismay of the WRC.

Kalle Rovanperä, double WRC world champion without straining his talent. / © DPPI

November 4: Buemi-Hartley-Hirakawa champions Hypercar Drivers at the 8 Hours of Bahrain, victory for the Iron Dames

The event also marked the last appearance of LMP2 and LMGTE in the WEC.

At the 8 Hours of Bahrain, Toyota further established its supremacy over the 2023 championship by dominating the last event of the season head and shoulders with a new victory of Sébastien Buemi, Brendon Hartley and Ryo Hirakawa, securing the trio a second world title in a row. In LMGTE Am, the Iron Dames scored a historic first WEC victory, with Sarah Bovy, Michelle Gatting and Rahel Frey also becoming the first all-female trio in history to win. A long-awaited victory which was nevertheless undecided until the end. After a long controlled race, Michelle Gatting, in fact, saw theAston Martin #777 of Casper Stevenson grew in her mirrors in the final hour, but the Dane managed to maintain her lead until the checkered flag. Well done again!

Ryō Hirakawa, Brendon Hartley, and Sébastien Buemi are the 2023 WEC Hypercar Drivers' World Champions for Toyota. / © DPPI

November 5: Ryan Blaney crowned 2023 NASCAR champion

The Penske driver wins in Arizona.

Despite his 29 years, it took Ryan Blaney eight full seasons to win the cup. During his four previous participations in the “Round of 8”, the driver from Ohio had left empty-handed. This year, the No. 12 emerged at the right time, scoring two crucial victories at Talladega and Martinsville. Unlike previous seasons where Blaney made mistakes in money time, he rose to the occasion in 2023 with 3rd place as his average position during the Round of 8. In Phoenix, scene of the grand final, Blaney did what was necessary to finish ahead of his direct opponents and win his first title in the premier category of the Nascar. Leading the drivers still in contention for the title when the yellow flag was displayed for a spin by Kyle Busch (Richard Childress Racing), 37 laps from the end, Blaney lost his advantage during the waltz of stops at the stands. The driver of the No. 12 Penske Ford then fought during the re-start that followed to overtake William Byron and Kyle Larson (Hendrick Motorsports), two of his “Final 4” competitors, 20 laps from the goal. Blaney ultimately finished second overall, but above all first of the quartet of contenders for the supreme consecration. Roger Penske, the eponymous team retains its crown, with Blaney succeeding Joey Logano on the list of winners.

Ryan Blaney is crowned 2023 NASCAR Cup Series champion in Phoenix. / © NASCAR Media

November 18: 1st Las Vegas Grand Prix

Sin City welcomes F1 41 years after its last appearance in the parking lot of the famous Caesar Palace.

It was without a doubt the event of the year in Formula 1: the great return of Las Vegas to the calendar, with an urban circuit traced around the strongholds of this artificial although mythical place, namely the Strip, its casinos , and the new sphere freshly inaugurated. However, we didn't come far from a total fiasco with a nightmarish Friday. A manhole cover in fact separated as Sainz's car passed through EL1, and destroyed the entire flat bottom of the Spaniard's Ferrari. As a result, the FP1 session was shortened, and FP2 was delayed and contested in the middle of the night without spectators. Fortunately, the spectacle and the quality of the images were much nicer on Saturday and Sunday. On a sporting level, Ferrari's level of performance made it possible to put on a spectacle. We will remember Max Verstappen's victory as much as the exceptional overtaking achieved by Charles Leclerc in the penultimate corner on Sergio Pérez for 2nd place. A successful weekend for F1.

F1 has swapped the parking lot of Caesar Palace for the glamor of the famous Las Vegas Strip. / © DPPI

November 16-19: Return of the real Macau Grand Prix

Luke Browing wins the best victory of his career, while Raffaele Marciello bids farewell to Mercedes.

One of the most famous events in motorsport has made its comeback in its traditional format after three last editions impacted by Covid-19. Everyone wanted to take part and it gave us some very good fields in both Formula 3 and GT3. In F3, Luke Browning (Hitech GP) took everyone by surprise and in particular Gabriele Mini (Prema) who had started the weekend very well. But the Englishman found the perfect setting to dominate the most important sessions, namely Q2, the Qualifying Race and the Grand Prix on Sunday. A hat-trick which allowed it to reveal itself to everyone as Macao so often does. In GT3, the story couldn’t be more beautiful. Defending holder of the FIA ​​GT World Cup, last contested in 2019, Raffaele Marciello ended his adventure with Mercedes in the most beautiful way. Pole position, victories on Saturday and Sunday, the Italian-Swiss left nothing to chance to achieve one of the most accomplished performances of his career. A very nice last gift to Mercedes before joining BMW in LMDh next year.

Protégé of Williams Racing, Luke Browing signs the greatest victory of his young career on the streets of Macau. / © Williams Racing

November 26: Théo Pourchaire titled F2 champion in Abu Dhabi

The Frenchman is reaching his goal after three seasons in the Grand Prix antechamber.

From Sunday November 26, 2023, Theo Pourchaire will remember it for a very long time. That day, the Habs became Formula 2 champions after three years in the category. There were a lot of ups, a lot of downs but the Grassois finally achieved his goals. It was not easy. He was even close to not returning for a third season but Sauber convinced him to return for the Der des Ders. The right decision in the end since Théo managed to put everything together to win the crown. There weren't many victories, only one in fact, two pole positions, but the ART Grand Prix driver bet everything on consistency, like his 9 additional podiums and his 19 points finishes in 26 departures. There was no undivided domination like Charles Leclerc, George Russell or Oscar Piastri, but Pourchaire was incisive and always seized his opportunities. Unfortunately, this title does not (yet) open the doors to F1 for him, but his adventure in Super Formula next year should allow him to gain experience and get closer to his ultimate goal.

Théo Pourchaire is finally rewarded for his patient efforts in the antechamber of the Grands Prix. / © DPPI

November 26 – A final record for Max Verstappen

Don't throw any more away, the cup is full.

In Abu Dhabi, Max Verstappen, world champion for the third time since the Qatar Grand Prix, crowns his season – or should we rather talk about his work – with a 6th hat-trick. Pole, victory and lap record, the Dutchman does not even have to exert his talent to affix in golden letters the word end at the bottom of the ultimate story of the great live 2023 Grands Prix. A tale of the Thousand and Three Towers in the land of the Thousand and One Nights! Never before had a driver managed to pass the milestone of 1000 laps in the lead during the same season, shattering the previous record held since 2011 by Sebastian Vettel with 739 magical laps. This final success of the season allows him to bring the record for victories in a season to 19 and overtake Sebastian Vettel in the number of Grand Prix won. With 54 to his credit, Michael Schumacher (91) et Lewis Hamilton (103) are now in his sights.

A last one before we go. Max Verstappen signs a 19th victory in 22 Grands Prix by winning in Abu Dhabi. / © DPPI

November 26: Brodie Kostecki succeeds SvG on the Supercars list

Double blow for his Erebus Motorsport team, titled among the Teams.

He is the man who deprived the great Shane van Gisbergen of another Australian Touring Championship title before he left for NASCAR. While the leading Triple Eight Race Engineering team had reigned supreme over the discipline for years, Erebus Motorsport better negotiated the transition to Gen 3 and allowed Brodie Kostecki to claim his first Supercars crown. Author of six victories in 2023, the driver from Perth (Australia) may have abandoned the famous Bathurst 1000 at SvG but his consistency (no retirement in 28 races) will have allowed him to win at the wheel of his Chevrolet Camaro n° 99.

Brodie Kostecky succeeds colossus Shane van Gisbergen on the Supercars list. / © Erebus Motorsport

November 26: Francesco Bagnaia retains his MotoGP title

The Italian, however, had to fight to the end against the Spaniard Jorge Martín

Among the major championships (F1, WEC, WRC), it is the only one whose suspense lasted until the end. While we initially saw Francesco Bagnaia sailing calmly towards a second title in a row, the Italian saw Jorge Martín melt into his retros. King of the Sprint format introduced this season and applied to each of the 20 rounds of the season, the Spaniard pushed “Pecco” and his official Ducati to their limits until the final organized near Valencia (Spain). Bagnaia finally had the last word by winning for the seventh time of the season, but Martin's breathtaking performances show that it is possible to fight for the supreme reward at the wheel of a motorcycle fielded by a satellite team (Pramac in occurrence).

Pecco Bagnaia had to work hard to keep his crown in MotoGP facing fierce competition from Jorge Martín. / © Red Bull Content Pool

December 8: FIA champions crowned in Baku

A very political FIA 2023 gala.

Organized with pomp by a controversial host on the geopolitical scene, the traditional FIA prize-giving ceremony was also overshadowed by an extra-sporting affair. A few days before the gala, the federation opened an investigation into suspicions of a conflict of interest between an FOM employee and an F1 team principal. Implicitly targeted by the procedure, the couple formed by Toto and Susie Wolff reacted sharply and was able to count on the support of all the teams on the grid, which forced the FIA ​​into an express and embarrassing about-face.

The free spirit Mohammed Ben Sulayem, president of the FIA, kept a low profile during the traditional end-of-year awards gala. / © DPPI