The 2023 Azerbaijan GP was defined by a Safety Car on Lap 10 that rewarded drivers who hadn't pitted and penalized those who had. Sergio Pérez used a perfectly-timed one-stop to victory over teammate Max Verstappen. With the Hard tyre showing almost no wear, a one-stop became the default, with late pit-lane gamblers and a fastest-lap hunt for George Russell rounding out the strategic highlights.
The 2023 United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) was a showcase of critical tyre management and contrasting strategic philosophies. High ambient temperatures combined with the notoriously bumpy and abrasive track surface created significant thermal degradation, making a two-stop strategy the optimal choice for almost the entire grid. The race was defined by a tactical chess match between Red Bull's aggressive undercutting and Mercedes' tyre offset strategy, while Ferrari's solitary one-stop gamble highlighted the severe penalties of misjudging COTA's tyre wear profile.
The 2023 Formula 1 season opener at the Bahrain International Circuit delivered a stark warning to the rest of the grid: Red Bull Racing is the class of the field. Max Verstappen led a flawless, commanding Red Bull 1-2 finish, taking the checkered flag comfortably ahead of teammate Sergio Pérez. But while the Milton Keynes squad enjoyed an undisputed cruise at the front, a thrilling tactical and physical battle raged behind them, culminating in a magnificent podium for Fernando Alonso on his debut for a rejuvenated Aston Martin.
Sergio Perez claimed pole position for the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix after a Q2 driveshaft failure sidelined championship leader Max Verstappen. Charles Leclerc qualified second but will start 12th due to a grid penalty, promoting Fernando Alonso to the front row. The session was marked by drama, including a Q1 crash for Lando Norris and a difficult outing for Logan Sargeant.