Hamilton v Verstappen, surprise driver and other 2023 F1 predictions

Express Sport makes five predictions for when the lights go out once again in 2023.

Hamilton vs Verstappen rivalry 

Hamilton could hardly have imagined a worse 2022 after agonisingly having an eighth world title snatched from his grasp by Verstappen in Abu Dhabi in 2021. The Brit will quickly want to forget a miserable winless season where he finished sixth in the drivers’ standings, was outscored by his new teammate George Russell and saw his Dutch rival break the record for the highest number of race wins. 

But there are no guarantees that Red Bull will maintain such dominance in 2023 after adapting to the all-new regulation rules so effectively last time out. Red Bull’s significantly reduced wind tunnel time, combined with a late up-turn in performances from Mercedes sets up a potentially tantalising Constructors Championship battle, with Ferrari also keen to eradicate their costly 2022 errors and compete once more.

And 37-year-old Hamilton will make his experience count as he roars back into a title challenge and reignites his rivalry with Verstappen in 2023. If Mercedes use their mistakes from the 2022 season to address key weaknesses, Hamilton will overcome Verstappen and spearhead the Silver Arrows back to the top of F1.

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