The 2023 F1 grid is finalized: Players and teams to look out for ahead of the new Formula One season

The 2023 Formula 1 grid is locked and ready to burn rubber. Sebastian Vettel, Daniel Ricciardo, and Mick Schumacher have said their goodbyes as we introduce rookie drivers Oscar Piastri and Logan Sargeant, as well as the returning Nico Hulkenberg, who’s back following a two-year absence.

The Newest Face on the Grid Takes No.2
Logan Sargeant is the newest and final F1 driver to be named for the 2023 season; he’s one of three rookies preparing for the 23’ F1 season alongside Nyck De Vries and Oscar Piastri.

It’s been mandatory for F1 drivers to pick a permanent race number since 2014, and because Stoffel Vandoorne has been absent for two years, the number two was available for Sargeant. He’ll sport this digit under the Williams-Mercedes banner for the 2023 season and beyond.

Ricciardo Returns to Red Bull

He’s back! Welcome home, @DanielRicciardo

#DR3ack pic.twitter.com/LlA4OX6Oab

— Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) November 23, 2022

Following his departure from McLaren after the 2022 season, Daniel Ricciardo has signed with Red Bull Racing as a reserve driver.

Ricciardo’s career has come full circle. He left Red Bull in 2018, seeking a new challenge when he joined Renault. McLaren picked him up but unfortunately failed to match his team-mate Lando Norris and was eventually let go.

Without a possible direct position on the 2023 grid, Ricciardo has returned to Red Bull Racing as a substitute, where he’ll mostly work behind the scenes.   

“The smile says it all; I’m truly excited to be coming back home to Oracle Red Bull Racing as their Third Driver in 2023,” Ricciardo said.

“The ability to contribute to and be surrounded by the best team in F1 is hugely appealing while also giving me some time to recharge and refocus. I can’t wait to be with the team and support them with simulator work, testing sessions, and commercial activities. Let’s go!”

Schumacher exits Team Haas

As the only new arrival to the 2023 grid that boasts previous experience, Nico Hulkenberg has signed with North Carolina-based Team Haas to replace Mick Schumacher. The German hasn’t raced an entire season of F1 or any other motorsport since his departure from Renault in 2019, but he’ll now return in 2023 as the partner of Kevin Magnussen.

Despite failing to race a complete season since 2019, he’s been involved in multiple Grands Prix, substituting for Aston Martin and Racing Point. Most recently, he replaced Sebastian Vettel for the first two rounds of last season.

We should expect North Carolina sports betting to receive considerable attention with Hulkenberg’s arrival at Haas. His potential to cash some winning wagers as a top-placing driver can be supported by his experience racing 181 times in Formula One and winning the Le Mans 24 Hours with Porsche.

“I’m happy to move into a full-time race seat with Haas F1 Team in 2023. I feel like I never really left Formula 1,” Hulkenberg said.

“I’m excited to have the opportunity to do what I love the most again and want to thank Gene Haas and Gunther Steiner for their trust. We have work ahead of us to be able to compete with all the other teams in the midfield, and I cannot wait to join that battle again.”

Hulkenberg’s Team Haas announcement completed the F1 grid for 2023 alongside Logan Sargeant’s confirmation to receive enough points for an FIA Super License. Schumacher, who’s worked with Haas for the past two seasons, is now forced to find a reserve driver position or look to another organization to continue racing next year.

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