Although he is not eligible to be ranked against his peers, Oliver Bearman certainly made a strong impression on his unexpected F1 debut.
Driver rankings articles archive
How well did each Formula 1 driver perform over the course of an entire season? RaceFans’ Driver Rankings analyse the data and offer our assessment.
2023 Formula 1 driver rankings #1: Max Verstappen
Formula 1
Posted onWorld champion Max Verstappen was not only the best driver on the grid in 2023, he put together one of the best seasons in the history of F1.
2023 Formula 1 driver rankings #2: Fernando Alonso
Formula 1
Posted onFernando Alonso shocked the paddock in 2022 by announcing his move to Aston Martin for this season. It was his best career move for a decade.
2023 Formula 1 driver rankings #3: Lando Norris
Formula 1
Posted onAfter round two, Lando Norris sat last in the championship. He went on to take more second place finishes than any other driver in 2023.
2023 Formula 1 driver rankings #4: Charles Leclerc
Formula 1
Posted onCharles Leclerc hoped he’d be fighting for a title in 2023. While that didn’t happen, he still proved himself as the better Ferrari driver.
2023 Formula 1 driver rankings #5: Lewis Hamilton
Formula 1
Posted onLewis Hamilton endured his worst season in F1 in 2022. Although 2023 was little better, his form behind the wheel was much stronger.
2023 Formula 1 driver rankings #6: Alexander Albon
Formula 1
Posted onAlexander Albon almost single-handedly dragged Williams to seventh in 2023. He did it speed, patience and some excellent defensive driving.
2023 Formula 1 driver rankings #7: Oscar Piastri
Formula 1
Posted onIt may be some time before a driver can come into Formula 1 and make as strong an impact in year one as Oscar Piastri did in 2023.
2023 Formula 1 driver rankings #8: George Russell
Formula 1
Posted onGeorge Russell beat a multiple world champion team mate over the course of 2022, but his second season proved a little more challenging.
2023 Formula 1 driver rankings #9: Carlos Sainz Jnr
Formula 1
Posted onHe was the only driver outside Red Bull to win a grand prix – but Carlos Sainz Jnr’s season had too many regrettable moments to ignore.
2023 Formula 1 driver rankings #10: Pierre Gasly
Formula 1
Posted onPierre Gasly arrived at Alpine determined to establish himself outside of the Red Bull fold in Formula 1. He managed to acquit himself well.
2023 Formula 1 driver rankings #11: Esteban Ocon
Formula 1
Posted onEsteban Ocon had one of the best performances of the 2023 season in Monaco. But he was slightly overshadowed by new team mate Pierre Gasly.
2023 Formula 1 driver rankings #12: Valtteri Bottas
Formula 1
Posted onValtteri Bottas embraced his inner bogan throughout the 2023 Formula 1 season. But on track, he was anything but scruffy.
2023 Formula 1 driver rankings #13: Nico Hulkenberg
Formula 1
Posted onNico Hulkenberg arrived back into Formula 1 in 2023 needing to prove Haas right for picking him over Mick Schumacher. He did just that.
2023 Formula 1 driver rankings #14: Yuki Tsunoda
Formula 1
Posted onYuki Tsunoda faced a revolving door of team mates in 2023, but he showed more maturity and promise than the first two seasons of his career.
2023 Formula 1 driver rankings #15: Zhou Guanyu
Formula 1
Posted onZhou Guanyu showed some marked improvement in his second season in Formula 1 – but lacked those outstanding moments that truly grab attention.
2023 Formula 1 driver rankings #16: Liam Lawson
Formula 1
Posted onRed Bull junior Liam Lawson was suddenly handed a golden opportunity to prove he deserves to be in Formula 1. He managed to make the most of it.
2023 Formula 1 driver rankings #17: Daniel Ricciardo
Formula 1
Posted onDaniel Ricciardo unexpectedly arrived back on the grid midway through the season. He showed flashes of the race-winning driver of his past.
2023 Formula 1 driver rankings #18: Kevin Magnussen
Formula 1
Posted onKevin Magnussen arrived back in Formula 1 and impressed last year. But with an underperforming car, he struggled to match his new team mate in 2023.
2023 Formula 1 driver rankings #19: Lance Stroll
Formula 1
Posted onIn a season where he likely drove the best car he’d ever had in Formula 1, Lance Stroll consistently failed to make the most of it.