F1 2023: Team-by-team guide for new season as Mercedes and Ferrari try to halt Red Bull procession

The 2023 Formula 1 season is finally upon us as the racing action resumes at the Bahrain Grand Prix this weekend.

Reigning two-time world champion Max Verstappen is once again the overwhelming favourite to clinch the title for Red Bull after his fierce 2021 battle with Lewis Hamilton gave way to a procession last term.

Hamilton and George Russell will hope that Mercedes can quickly cure the issues that arose during winter testing, while there is new leadership at Ferrari as they bid to turn the page on a 2022 campaign littered with costly errors and strategy gaffes.

Here, Standard Sport’s Matt Majendie runs through every team on the grid.

Alfa Romeo

Drivers: Valtteri Bottas, Zhou Guanyu

Last season: 6^th (55 points)

Alfa Romeo made a positive step forward last season, enjoying a string of points finishes throughout the year to just nudge Aston Martin out of sixth spot in the constructors’ championship. They are one of only four unchanged driver lineups for the season, which begins with team principal Fred Vasseur having left for Ferrari.

Exciting talent: Nyck de Vries has replaced Pierre Gasly at Alpha Tauri for the 2023 season (REUTERS)

Alpha Tauri

Drivers: Nyck de Vries, Yuki Tsunoda

Last season: 9^th (35 points)

In recent weeks, rumours had been circulating that Alpha Tauri was set to be sold but team boss Franz Tost insists the team is not for sale. That said, they could yet relocate to the UK. In Nyck de Vries, they have an exciting talent behind the wheel, who they hope will push Yuki Tsunoda to raise his game.

Alpine

Drivers: Pierre Gasly, Esteban Ocon

Last season: 4^th (173 points)

It is a driver partnership that is potentially mouthwatering. The two French drivers used to be close friends, fell out badly and their relationship has been frosty ever since. Both insist they are professional enough to put that behind them but expect sparks to fly when vying for race position during the season.

Surprise package: Fernando Alonso and Aston Martin impressed during winter testing (PA)

Aston Martin

Drivers: Fernando Alonso, Lance Stroll

Last season: 7^th (55 points)

A few eyebrows were raised when Fernando Alonso dramatically walked away from Alpine for what, on the surface, appeared to be a drop down the grid with Aston Martin. But Alonso and Aston have been the surprise package of winter testing ahead of what looks like their break-out season.

Ferrari

Drivers: Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz

Last season: 2^nd (554 points)

There has been a lot of head scratching at Maranello over the winter. Mattia Binotto was axed after more than a quarter of a century at Ferrari and in came former Alfa Romeo boss Fred Vasseur. Whether he can remedy the myriad issues of last season remains to be seen.

Big responsibility: New team principal Fred Vasseur must get Ferrari back on track (REUTERS)

Haas

Drivers: Kevin Magnussen, Nico Hulkenberg

Last season: 8th (37 points)

Team principal Guenther Steiner can currently be seen swearing his way through another season of Netflix series Drive to Survive. Much of his frustration was at the crashes of Mick Schumacher, who has been replaced by his fellow German Nico Hulkenberg in one of the most experienced driver lineups on the grid.

McLaren

Drivers: Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri

Last season: 5^th (159 points)

Norris warned his team there were issues it needed to address after the three full days of testing. Despite that, pre-season looks to have gone better than 12 months previously. The team are targeting fourth in the championship and have high hopes for Norris’ new driving partner in Oscar Piastri.

Untapped potential: Toto Wolff retains full confidence in the W14 despite teething issues (AFP via Getty Images)

Mercedes

Drivers: Lewis Hamilton, George Russell

Last season: 3^rd (515 points)

The team raised a few eyebrows in testing by sticking with their sidepod design, which is not in keeping with any other team on the grid. Toto Wolff is adamant the W14 has seriously untapped potential, the problem was there were a few gremlins in testing although not to the extent of a year ago.

Red Bull

Drivers: Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez

Last season: 1^st (759 points)

Red Bull look to once again be the team to beat after an impressive winter testing in Bahrain last week in which the RB19 looked both quick and reliable. The fear from his rivals is that Max Verstappen could march away with a hat-trick of titles in 2023.

Hat-trick looming: Max Verstappen could turn the 2023 F1 campaign into another procession (Getty Images)

Williams

Drivers: Alex Albon, Logan Sargeant

Last season: 10^th (8 points)

One of the most successful teams in F1 history have finished rock bottom in the constructors’ championship in four of the past five seasons. Jost Capito has been replaced as team principal by former chief Mercedes strategist James Vowles and the team have a new driver rookie in American Logan Sargeant.