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The 2023 Formula 1 season is almost upon us and preparation for the new campaign is already in full swing.
This year will see 23 races held in a calendar of excellence, with Max Verstappen looking to make it three in a row after back-to-back World Championship wins.
Lewis Hamilton and his Mercedes team will be targeting improvements after a disappointing 2022 season, while Ferrari will be looking to learn from last year’s mistakes and mistakes as they bid for their first Drivers’ title in 16 years.
There are also new faces on the grid – the likes of Oscar Piastri and Nyck de Vries – and all 20 drivers will be eager to get back on track after a three-month break with official pre-season testing in Bahrain ahead of the first race of . the season a week later.
Here’s everything you need.
When does the 2023 F1 season start?
The first race of the season, the Bahrain Grand Prix, takes place from Friday 3 March – Sunday 5 March at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir.
Qualifying starts on Saturday 4th March at 3 p.m (GMT) with the race on Sunday also at 3 p.m (GMT).
When is pre-season testing?
Pre-season testing takes place at the Bahrain International Circuit the week before the first race, oh Thursday 23 February – Saturday 25 February.
There will be a run in between 7 a.m and 4:30 p.m (GMT) on each of the three days. There will be a one hour break midway through each session for lunch.
Each driver will have a day and a half’s worth in the car.
How can I watch it online and on TV?
The Bahrain Grand Prix, as well as pre-season testing, will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the United Kingdom.
Sky Sports subscribers can watch a pre-season test on the Sky Go app. If you’re not a Sky customer you can get a NOWTV Day pass here to watch without a subscription.
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The Bahrain Grand Prix takes place from 3-5 March
(Getty Images)
What has been said?
Max Verstappen has challenged Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes to raise their game and provide the championship battle that Formula One needs.
Verstappen ran away with the title last season, winning 15 of the 22 races, to secure his second championship with four rounds to spare. In contrast, Hamilton had the worst year of his career, underperforming Mercedes, failing to win a race and finishing 214 points adrift.
But facing the prospect of renewing his rivalry with Hamilton at Red Bull’s season launch in New York, Verstappen, 25, said: “For the sake of the sport you always want the extremely close teams.
“I think it was close last year, but as a team we did a lot of things better than the others and that’s why the points gap was so big. I never felt, apart from two or three races, that we had complete control. But for the general good of Formula One, everyone wants a title battle with multiple teams involved.”
Max Verstappen has challenged his title rivals to raise their game
(AP)
What are the drivers for 2023
RED BULL
Max Verstappen
Sergio Perez
FERRARI
Charles Leclerc
Carlos Sainz
MERCEDES
Lewis Hamilton
George Russell
alpine
Esteban Ocon
Pierre Gasly
McLaren
Lando Norris
Oscar Piastri
Alfa Romeo
Valtteri Bottas
Zhou Guanyu
ASTON MARTIN
Fernando Alonso
Stroll Lance
HAAS
Kevin Magnussen
Nico Hulkenberg
ALPHATURI
Yuki Tsunoda
Neck de Vries
WILLIAMS
Alex Alban
Logan Sargeant
*Italics represent grid additions/team changes
Oscar Piastri is a new name on the grid with McLaren
(Getty Images)
What is the 2023 F1 calendar?
Round 1 — BAHRAIN
Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir – 3-5 March
Round 2 – Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Corniche Circuit – March 17-19
Round 3 – AUSTRALIA
Albert Park, Melbourne – 31 March-2 April
ROUND 4 – AZERBAIJAN (sprint weekend)
Baku City Circuit – April 28-30
ROUND 5 – MIAMI
Miami International Autodrome, Hard Rock Stadium – May 5-7
Round 6 – EMILIA ROMAGNA
Imola Circuit – 19-21 May
Round 7 – Monaco
Circuit de Monaco – 26-28 May
Round 8 – SPAIN
Circuit de Barcelona-Catalonia – 2-4 June
Round 9 – CANADA
Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Montreal – June 16-18
ROUND 10 – AUSTRIA (sprint weekend)
Red Bull Ring, Spielberg – 30 June-2 July
Round 11 – GREAT BRITAIN
Silverstone Circuit – 7-9 July
Round of 12 – HUNGARY
Hungary, Budapest – 21-23 July
Round 13 – BELGIUM (sprint weekend)
Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps – 28-30 July
Round 14 – NETHERLANDS
Circuit Zandvoort – 25-27 August
Round 15 – ITALY
Monza Circuit – 1-3 September
Round of 16 – SINGAPORE
Marina Bay Street Circuit – 15-17 September
ROUND 17 – JAPAN
Suzuka International Racing Course – September 22-24
Round of 18 – QATAR (sprint weekend)
Lusail International Circuit, Lusail – 6-8 October
Round 19 – UNITED STATES (sprint weekend)
American Circuit, Austin – October 20-22
Round 20 – MEXICO
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City – October 27-29
Round 21 – Brazil (sprint weekend)
Interlagos Circuit, São Paulo – November 3-5
Round 22 – LAS VEGAS
Las Vegas Street Circuit – November 16-18
Round 23 – ABU DHABI
Yas Marina Circuit – 24-26 November
