Complete calendar with 22 races
The 2023 Formula 1 season witnessed one of the most dominant performances in the sport's history, as Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing rewrote the record books with an unprecedented display of superiority. Verstappen cruised to his third consecutive Drivers' Championship, clinching the title at the Qatar Grand Prix with six races still remaining, while Red Bull secured their sixth Constructors' Championship with similar ease.
Verstappen's campaign was nothing short of phenomenal, winning a staggering 19 out of 22 races - shattering Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel's previous record of 13 wins in a season. His 86.36% win rate surpassed Alberto Ascari's 1952 record, while his 21 podiums and 575 championship points represented new benchmarks of excellence. The Dutchman also achieved 10 consecutive victories during the season, breaking Vettel's record of nine straight wins. His 290-point margin over teammate Sergio Perez marked the largest championship gap in F1 history, underscoring his total dominance.
Red Bull's RB19 proved to be the most dominant car ever built, with the team winning 21 of 22 races for a 95.45% success rate, eclipsing McLaren's legendary 1988 season. The only race that escaped their grasp was the Singapore Grand Prix, won by Ferrari's Carlos Sainz in a rare moment of vulnerability. The team's technical superiority was so overwhelming that rivals struggled to close the gap despite continuous development throughout the season.
While the championship battle lacked suspense, the fight for second place provided drama. Sergio Perez secured runner-up honors with 285 points, holding off a strong challenge from Lewis Hamilton, who finished third with 234 points in what proved to be his final season with Mercedes before his 2025 move to Ferrari. Fernando Alonso enjoyed a career resurgence with Aston Martin, briefly challenging for podiums early in the season before fading as rivals developed their cars.
The constructors' battle behind Red Bull proved more competitive, with Mercedes (409 points) narrowly edging Ferrari (406 points) for second place in a season-long fight. Aston Martin's early-season form earned them fifth place, while McLaren's late-season upgrades transformed their fortunes, setting the stage for their 2024 resurgence.
The season's few memorable moments came from unexpected winners and dramatic incidents. Sergio Perez claimed two victories in Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan, while Max Verstappen's run of dominance was temporarily interrupted by Singapore's unique characteristics. Several driver market moves captured attention, including Hamilton's blockbuster announcement of his Ferrari switch and numerous mid-season personnel changes across the grid.
Ultimately, 2023 will be remembered as the year Verstappen and Red Bull reached peak Formula 1, achieving a level of dominance that may never be matched. The season raised questions about competitive balance in the sport and prompted discussions about future regulations, even as Verstappen's brilliance earned universal respect. His third title cemented his status among F1's all-time greats, while Red Bull's engineering excellence established new standards for what a dominant era could look like in modern Formula 1.