“What a downgrade”- Fans react as the final pieces of the F1 grid puzzle for 2023 fall into place
The F1 gird for 2023 is nearly complete with new drivers replacing some of the fan favorites
The Formula 1 grid for 2023 is taking its shape with Haas’s announcement of Nico Hulkenberg as its replacement for Mick Schumacher. After Williams’ statement of signing its junior driver Logan Sargeant for next season if the American succeeds in getting the F1 super license, we now almost have the idea of the Formula 1 drivers racing next year. For the next year will have a number of changes, with several drivers leaving the sport, who are replaced by new talents.
Sebastian Vettel, Daniel Ricciardo, Mick Schumacher and Nicholas Latifi are the four drivers leaving the sport. Vettel, retiring after a long and successful Formula 1 career, while the other three are being pushed out of the sport after a failure to match the expectations of their respective teams. Daniel Ricciardo and Mick Schumacher are still considered among the more talented drivers who hope to make a comeback to F1 in the future.
Nyck De Vries, Oscar Piastri, Nico Hulkenberg and potentially Logan Sargeant will be joining the paddock next year. Piastri is perhaps the most anticipated talent in recent times who even rejected the Alpine F1 team’s offer in favor of a seat at McLaren. While Formula E world champion, Nyck De Vries finally gets a shot at the pinnacle of motorsport as the Dutchman joins the Red Bull camp at Alpha Tauri. Nico “Hulkenback” Hulkenberg returns to the sport as a full-time driver after 3 seasons outside the sport, truly getting a chance that most drivers don’t.
These driver transfers change the dynamic of the sport’s driver lineups. The 2023 paddock will be one without the fan favorites of Vettel, Ricciardo and Schumacher, who have proved their talent and skills, in favor of newer and unknowns of Piastri and De Vries along with the return of Nico who has had the most races without a podium finish in Formula 1. Thus on the face of it, Formula 1 next year would be having a less proven grid, something which the fans aren’t so glad about.
“I’ll miss Seb, Mick, and Danny” – fans express their disappointment in the 2023 F1 grid
On Twitter, fans showed their views about the changes coming to the paddock next year, with most fans mentioning how the loss of Vettel, Ricciardo, and Schumacher is not worth the addition of their respective replacements, bringing down the talent pool in Formula 1. One fan said, “Such a downgrade losing Vettel, Ricciardo and Schumacher for De Vries, Hülkenberg and Sargeant.” while another use replied, “Daniel, seb, mick no no I am not ready it’s so sad.”
It is evident how the fans are not pleased with the F1 grid for 2023, losing out some of the most loved drivers be it due to retirement or replacements, it is heartbreaking. Looking on paper, we will not be having the most proven driver lineups heading into next season, but that does not take away the talent of the new drivers joining the sport. Certainly, it will take time to get used to the changes next season with only 4 teams keeping the same driver pairing. 2023 will be an interesting year for Formula 1.
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