Five reasons to be excited about the 2023 season

The 74th running of the Formula 1 World Championship is around the corner and there are no shortage of reasons to be excited about the return of one of the great sporting events.

Ahead of our Season Launch, we have picked out five reasons to be enthused about the 2023 season – and a lot of them have to do with the positive changes made at Williams Racing, ahead of this campaign.

Alex Albon joined the team in 2022, replacing the Mercedes-bound George Russell.

The 26-year-old Thai had a point to prove after being on the sidelines in 2021, taking up duties as Red Bull’s Test and Reserve Driver, but his 2022 efforts have shown that he is certainly befitting of his place.

Reestablished in F1, Alex is expected to shine in his sophomore year with Williams - looking to build up his three points finishes in 2022, confident that he can take things to the next level in 2023.

Alex is well settled at Williams and he will be paired with a rookie teammate this year.

Logan Sargeant, a 22-year-old from Fort Lauderdale, will become the first American on the grid since Alexander Rossi in 2015 when the action gets underway at the beginning of March.

Logan has enjoyed a solid junior career and has now elevated himself to the pinnacle of motorsport, climbing the ladder from F3 to F1 in a little under 18 months.

He shone as Rookie of the Year in F2, with wins at Silverstone and Spielberg adding to podium finishes at Barcelona and Baku, before securing his 2023 seat with an incredibly mature drive at the final round in Abu Dhabi. READ: America’s F1 star: Who is Logan Sargeant?

Our resident American will get to enjoy no fewer than three home races in his maiden season.

There is a growing appetite for F1 across the Atlantic Ocean and they most certainly know how to throw a party.

Austin’s Circuit of the Americas has become a firm favourite on the calendar and was joined by a race around Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium last season – incidentally just under 15 miles from where Logan calls home.

They’ll both be joined by Las Vegas this year and if there’s one thing we can guarantee, it’s that it will certainly be a spectacle.

Another new addition to the Williams team in 2023 is James Vowles taking the reins as Team Principal.

James played a crucial role in the huge success seen at Mercedes during the turbo-hybrid era of F1, and brings with him a proven track record and a wealth of experience.

His road to Grove saw him start out at British American Racing, who would evolve into Honda during his early days with the team.

They famously became Brawn GP, where James celebrated winning both championships, before becoming Mercedes in 2010. WATCH: “I’m incredibly proud and excited to join Williams” - James Vowles

There will be six F1 Sprint races this season – more than ever before.

We have had three Sprint races per season for the past two years, meaning that it will double this term. The format will continue at the Austrian and São Paulo Grand Prix, while Azerbaijan, Belgium, Qatar and the United States (Austin) will also play host in 2023.

These venues were chosen after research took place to determine the suitability of tracks, based on overtaking opportunities, close racing and high-speed sections.

More Sprints also means more opportunities for points, with the top eight finishers all scoring in the 100km dash.