Top 10 crashes of the 2023 F1 season

The action-packed 2023 F1 season witnessed some dangerous crashes over the course of 22 races.

Top 10 crashes of the 2023 F1 season

Lando Norris crashes out at the Las Vegas GP (Via IMAGO)

Formula 1 is a dangerous sport. The world’s best drivers go head-to-head at over 200mph or 320 kmph with no margin for error. The sport has witnessed some horrific crashes throughout its history. The 2023 F1 season was no different with some major incidents taking place over the course of the year.

Certainly, drivers had faced tricky conditions in some races this year including the inaugural Las Vegas GP. Carlos Sainz suffered critical damage on his Ferrari SF23 due to an exposed manhole cover. Thankfully Sainz stopped the car shortly afterwards.

The 2023 F1 season was one of the most action-packed years in the sport’s recent history. Unsurprisingly, drivers had some big incidents as they pushed themselves to the limit for that extra tenth of a second. This article delves into the Top 10 crashes of the 2023 F1 season.

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Here are the Top 10 crashes of the 2023 F1 season

10. Daniel Ricciardo – Dutch GP

Daniel Ricciardo made a shock return to the F1 grid mid-way through 2023 with AlphaTauri. Unfortunately, the Australian driver’s comeback lasted just two weekends before the Honey Badger suffered from a wrist injury.

Daniel Ricciardo after crashing out during FP2 at Dutch GP
Daniel Ricciardo after crashing out during FP2 at Dutch GP (Via PlanetF1)

During FP2 at the Dutch GP, Ricciardo was driving behind Oscar Piastri‘s McLaren. The rookie driver collided with the barriers just a couple of seconds ahead of his fellow countryman. Daniel Ricciardo was forced to take evasive action and crashed into the wall. The 34-year-old suffered from a wrist injury due to this incident and was forced to miss several races.

I remember coming into Turn Three. I had already got into the corner and then saw Piastri, so it was either hit him or the wall.
Daniel Ricciardo said as reported by IndiaToday

9. Alex Albon – Australian GP

Alex Albon seemed to be having a great weekend at the Australian GP after qualifying in eighth place. The Williams driver was running in P6 when he oversteered and lost control of the car in the opening stages of the race. The Thai driver hit the barriers as his car spun around and spread gravel all over the track.

Alex Albon crashes out at the Australian GP
Alex Albon crashes out at the Australian GP (Via GPFans)

Albon’s incident called out the red flag to clear the gravel from the track. The 27-year-old was forced to retire from the race in what could’ve been a potential points-finish for the Grove-based team. The Williams driver took the blame for this incident.

8. Zhou Guanyu – Dutch GP

The Dutch GP was an exciting one for fans as rain changed the entire situation midway through the race. The wet conditions made it difficult for drivers to stay on track even with intermediate tires with many shifting to the full wets. Alfa Romeo’s Zhou Guanyu lost control of his car and went right into the barriers.

Zhou Guanyu crashes out at the Dutch GP (Credits: @F1/Twitter)
Zhou Guanyu crashes out at the Dutch GP (Credits: @F1/Twitter)

The Chinese driver failed to brake sufficiently as he headed into Turn 1 on inters. The low grip saw him lose traction and his Alfa Romeo ended up into the wall. A red flag was called out right after this incident. This massive crash had an impact of a staggering 16Gs.

7. Kevin Magnussen – Mexican GP

Kevin Magnussen had qualified in P17 for the Mexican GP. The Danish driver was trying to make the most out of the Haas VF-23 in the race. However, on Lap 32 of the race, Magnussen’s left-rear suspension failed which saw the Haas driver lose control of the car in the Esses at Turn 8 and 9. This inevitably led to the 31-year-old crashing out of the race.

Kevin Magnussen's car after his crash at the Mexican GP
Kevin Magnussen’s car after his crash at the Mexican GP (Via Speedcafe)

It was a massive collision with smoke coming out of the Haas car. Thankfully, Magnussen came out unharmed. Although the Dane’s car suffered major damage. Initially, the Safety Car was called after this crash with race control soon red-flagging the race to clear the debris.

I crashed after having a rear left suspension failure. It happened in a bad place and I hit the wall, so I got a knock on my hands and they hurt a little bit, but they’re fine.
Kevin Magnussen said as reported by PlanetF1

6. Lewis Hamilton and George Russell – Qatar GP

George Russell and Lewis Hamilton started the Qatar GP from P2 and P3 respectively right behind pole-sitter Max Verstappen. The two Mercedes drivers got a great start and were right alongside the Dutchman at Turn 1. However, Hamilton ended up turning in too closely to his teammate and made contact with the 25-year-old.

Lewis Hamilton stranded after colliding with George Russell at Qatar GP
Lewis Hamilton stranded after colliding with George Russell at Qatar GP (Via The Independent)

This collision led to both Hamilton and Russell spinning on the run-off area. Moreover, the seven-time F1 world champion’s car lost a tire completely due to this crash. Although, George Russell managed to continue in the race. Both drivers were furious but the two mended things post-race. Lewis Hamilton took the blame and apologized to his teammate

I’ve watched the replay and it was 100% my fault and I take full responsibility. Apologies to my team and to George.
Lewis Hamilton said as reported by The Guardian

5. Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon – Australian GP

Pierre Gasly was in fifth place after the second restart at the Australian GP. The 27-year-old went off-track as he tried to make a move on Fernando Alonso. As Gasly rejoined the track, he ended up making contact with Esteban Ocon. Ocon’s front left tire collided with the right-rear of the former Red Bull driver.

Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon after crashing out at the Australian GP
Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon after crashing out at the Australian GP (Via Litsuit)

Both Alpine drivers ended up hitting the barriers and suffered major damage to their cars. This led to a disappointing double DNF for Renault’s works F1 team. Gasly and Ocon were frustrated with this result. Thankfully tensions did not seem to escalate between the two.

4. Alex Albon, Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg – Brazilian GP

Alex Albon had a good start to the Brazilian GP. The Thai driver went side-by-side with the Haas of Nico Hulkenberg and was on course to pass the German driver. However, Hulkenberg’s teammate Kevin Magnussen was closing in on both cars as the three drivers went wheel-to-wheel. However, the lack of space between the three led to a disaster.

Alex Albon and Kevin Magnussen spin during the Brazilian GP
Alex Albon and Kevin Magnussen spin during the Brazilian GP (Via Autosport)

Albon first made contact with Hulkenberg which led to the Williams almost spinning out before Magnussen collided with the Thai driver as well. Alex Albon lost a tire on his car and went sliding into the barriers. While Kevin Magnussen suffered a similar fate. Although Nico Hulkenberg managed to make it back to the pits. Certainly, a catastrophic incident for the three.

3. Sergio Perez, Esteban Ocon and Nico Hulkenberg – Qatar GP

During the Qatar GP Sprint, Esteban Ocon was losing ground on a set of soft tires when Nico Hulkenberg tried to make a move on the Frenchman. Red Bull’s Sergio Perez tried his luck as he went alongside the other two. As such the three drivers were wheel-to-wheel heading into Turn 2. Unsurprisingly this did not end well.

Sergio Perez and Esteban Ocon collide at the Qatar GP
Sergio Perez and Esteban Ocon collide at the Qatar GP (Via IMAGO)

Ocon made contact with Hulkenberg’s front left which led to the Alpine spinning in the middle of the track. The Frenchman crashed into Perez’s Red Bull as sparks flew from the Alpine car. Sergio Perez and Esteban Ocon ended up spinning onto the gravel track. With Hulkenberg managing to continue after a short detour on the gravel. All three drivers were forced to retire from the race.

2. Lando Norris – Las Vegas GP

Lando Norris started the Las Vegas GP from P15 on the grid. The British driver was aiming to do some damage control in the race. Unfortunately, things did not go well for the McLaren driver as he had a massive crash on Lap 3 of the race. The 24-year-old lost control of his car and spun out wildly as he approached Turn 12.

Lando Norris, Las Vegas GP
Lando Norris, Las Vegas GP (Via PlanetF1)

Norris’ car hit the barriers and huge sparks came from the floor. The McLaren kept sliding till it made contact with the wall in the run-off area. Certainly one of the scariest crashes in recent times. The Safety Car was called out immediately. Lando Norris was taken to a hospital straight away. Later on, McLaren confirmed that he did not sustain any injuries.

1. Lance Stroll – Singapore GP

Lance Stroll was pushing to the limit during Qualifying for the Singapore GP. The Canadian driver suffered from some oversteer during his final run in Q2 as he approached the final corner. This forced the Aston Martin AMR23 into the barriers at over 160mph or 257 kmph. Stroll’s car spun around aggressively after making impact.

Lance Stroll crashes out during Singapore GP Qualifying (Credits: @Autosport/Twitter)
Lance Stroll crashes out during Singapore GP Qualifying (SS: Sky Sports F1/X)

The Aston Martin landed in the middle of the track with severe damage. The front end had been completely wiped out of the car apart from the front-right tire. The team immediately asked Stroll if he was okay. The Canadian replied straight away and safely exited the cockpit.

Stroll had to miss the race on Sunday due to the after-effects of the crash. The 25-year-old recovered from the incident and made his comeback at the next round in Japan.

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