The Formula One season of 2023 is in full swing, and it has already provided fans with plenty of thrills and excitement.

Drivers like Max Verstappen are bringing their “A Game” to circuits across the world, while new courses like Miami and Las Vegas are set to shine in the limelight.

But what has this season taught us so far? This article aims to find out.

Verstappen is still the driver to beat

Max Verstappen's victory in Miami, passing his teammate Sergio Perez in the process, was an impressive reminder of his superior driving skills after talk of Perez's potential championship challenge.

Despite starting from ninth on the grid, Verstappen delivered a performance that outclassed everyone else in both pace and tire management, suggesting that Miami suited his driving style more than the previous Baku street track.

With 18 races remaining and only a 14-point difference between the Red Bull drivers, it is still early in the championship fight. However, Verstappen's victory was an important early development in this year's battle, halting Perez's momentum and re-establishing himself as the quicker driver.

Whoever can get past Max will surely win the championship.

Fernando Alonso may have hit his peak

Fernando Alonso has been performing well in the 2023 season, securing third and fourth place finishes in the first five races. The Spaniard has been instrumental in Aston Martin's rise from seventh to second place in the standings with 75 of the team's 102 points.

However, Alonso expressed frustration after finishing third in the Miami Grand Prix, stating that the team wants to step higher on the podium. He acknowledged that Red Bull is not only reliable but also stronger and faster.

Despite the progress made by his team, Alonso is aware that they still have a lot of work to do to compete with the top teams and has hinted that even his best driving may not be enough to take them all the way.

The Miami GP could knock Monaco off the F1 Calendar

It’s a fact of life that the new replaces the old, and it’s no different in F1. Monaco was the crown in the sport’s jewel for decades and brings back memories of famous victories on the cobbled streets.

Yet, just like the best online casinos are now giving Monte Carlo’s classic gambling venues a run for their money, a brand-new challenger is giving Monaco organizers a real fright.

Miami GP has only been on the calendar for a year, but its debut event last year was a big success. While criticism abounded of the makeshift track surface, the kitschy touches and "MotorCoachella" vibes added to the spectacle, and this year’s race was second only to last year's.

The race was the most-watched live Formula One telecast in the US, with 1.96 million viewers, and a success with fans, who turned up in droves, and celebrities. The blowout victory by Max Verstappen may have been lacklustre, but the event proves that Formula One is drawing fans from all races and cultures and moving in the right direction.

The thirst for the modern spectacle may signal the end for classic old tracks like Monaco over the next few years.

Ferrari are showing erratic form

Ferrari has been dogged by problems so far this season to the frustration of its management.

The team has faced difficulties when changing from one tire compound to another, making it difficult for the driver to adjust and gain confidence.

Charles Leclerc expressed frustration following the Miami GP with the challenge of adapting his driving style to a car that is in a completely different window with every tire change. The team must address these issues if they hope to improve their performance in future races.

With Ferrari not performing to a race-winning standard since last July, all the optimism around the Vasseur era now looks hollow. Maybe Ferrari were in deeper trouble than anyone ever realised last year.

F1’s new introductions haven’t been popular with drivers

F1’s pre-race ceremonies have always been popular with fans, helping to build the atmosphere ahead of the events, yet they’ve caused some consternation among drivers.

The pre-race ceremony in Miami, for example, featured new driver introductions with will.i.am and LL Cool J, adding more glitz and glamor to the weekend. However, some drivers were unhappy with their implementation as it disrupted their final preparations.

While the FIA has allocated time in the schedule for every race to feature these introductions, it's only expected to be taken up at major events. The ceremony's impact on drivers raises concerns about the "show versus sport" debate in F1.

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