© Getty ImagesSeven Signs That 2023 Is Going To Be HugeIt's going to be a big one...
EverynewseasonofF1competitioncomeswithasenseofexcitementaboutthebattlestocome,butwereckon2023isgoingtocrankthethrillstothelimit.Herearejustsevenofthereasonsthisseasonissettobeatrueepic…
OurFirstDoubleTitleDefenceSince2014
This is the big one. We haven’t entered a Formula 1 season as defending Drivers’ and Constructors champions since 2014. Back then the switch to complex hybrid power units and the troubles that caused resulted in a swift downturn in the Team’s fortunes and the defence faltered. This time it’s different. We’ve got a largely stable rule set, the RB19 is an evolution of the hugely dominant 18 and we’ve got a massively potent driver pairing. The Team’s rivals have had a year to iron out any issues the new era of F1 might have caused them and the competition will be stiff but that just adds even more spice to the coming campaign.
A Double Title To Defend© Getty Images
After four years away from the fold, a period that featured some superb highs (his brilliant win in Monza in 2021) and some spirit-sapping lows, prodigal Perth pedaller Daniel Ricciardo is back with the Bulls and we couldn’t be happier. The Honey Badger is not just a force of positive nature in the garage and one of the funniest and genuinely good blokes in F1, he’s also a hugely experienced F1 campaigner whose incomparable feedback will help drive the development of the RB19 from the sim to debriefs. His presence in the Team is hugely welcome.
Honey, He's Home!© Getty Images
2023 is set to be our biggest ever year Stateside. The New York launch of the RB19 (and the announcement of our future PU collaboration with Ford) set the tone but we’re levelling up again at this year’s three US races by inviting fans to design bespoke sections of livery for Miami, Austin and debutant Las Vegas. The race to design our Miami livery is already on. Just click here to sign up to our exclusive loyalty programme, The Paddock, download the template and get creative.
Mark Your Mark© Oracle Red Bull Racing
This year’s calendar might be the biggest yet, but even with 23 venues there are huge numbers of people around the world who don’t get the chance to see F1 drivers and machinery up close and personal. We’ve always tried to take F1 power to the people with show runs and in 2023 we’ll be doing it all again. We’ve got some spectacular run plans in the pipeline, so stay tuned as F1 might be coming to a city, beach or snow-capped mountain near you.
Bringing The Noise Around The World© Getty Images
Checo'sQuarter-Millennium
Across the entire history of F1 just 10 drivers have started 250 races or more. In 2023 that elite club will gain an 11th member when Checo makes his 250th race start and it will come at one of F1’s most storied venues – Monza. It’s a massive milestone for our Mexican racer and we’re hoping he can celebrate in style at La Pista Magica by collecting an Italian GP trophy for the first time since his brilliant P2 there in his 30th race in F1 in 2012.
Checo Is Set To Celebrate A Special Milestone© Getty Images
The support we get from the grandstands at every race is fantastic but nothing compares to the incredible atmosphere at our home races. From the wall of orange smoke generated by Max’s massive fanbase at Zandvoort to the seething cauldron of Checo-cheering Mexicans in the Foro Sol at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, our drivers’ home races are always season highlights. In 2023, though, the stakes are even higher as Max goes in search of a hat-trick of Dutch Grand Prix wins, Checo looks for a third podium in Mexico and the Team races in home soil in Austria for the 10th time and for the first time since the passing of Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz. It’s going to be emotional.
Heading Home© Getty Images
This list wouldn’t be complete without a word on Vegas. F1 is returning to Sin City for the first time since 1982 and it’s doing it in style. We’ll be racing on a Saturday for the first time since 1985 (yes, F1 didn’t always race on Sundays), we’ll be racing on the legendary Strip and we’ll be doing it under the full glare of Vegas’ glittering lights with the start set for 10pm. This might just be the glitziest, most high glam, showbiz grand prix of all time. We cannot wait.
The Bulls Hit The Strip© Getty Images
