Fastest F1 Drivers: Average Qualifying Positions In 2023

The triple World Champion Max Verstappen was the best driver in Formula One in 2023 in terms of average qualifying positions.

Average qualifying position stats reveal the raw one-lap pace of Formula One drivers. Driving in the race includes tire management and strategies, but the qualifying is always all out on each of the laps.

Therefore, looking at the table below first reveals which cars were the fastest, but also which drivers are better when it comes to one-lap performance.

With 12 pole positions in 2023, Max Verstappen had to be the best driver in terms of qualifying positions. However, it gets interesting right after him as Sergio Perez, his Red Bull teammate is nowhere to be seen.

Perez's average qualifying position in 2023 was 9.09, which only underlines his Saturday struggles as there was clearly pace in his car, which the Dutchman demonstrated quite well.

Charles Leclerc is said by many to be the fastest driver on the grid currently when it comes to one-lap performance. The Monegasque achieved five pole positions but couldn't translate any of them into a win.

It is worth mentioning the tiny difference between the Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell. In qualifying head-to-head, their score is 11:11. Hamilton just comes out on top, but Mercedes has one of the most closely matched drivers on the grid.

Similar to Perez, Aston Martin's driver Lance Stroll struggled with qualifications, and his average position was, therefore, 12.46. Both Alex Albon and Nico Hulkenberg rank better in this table than the Canadian driver despite having slower cars.

Lastly, the first season was not the best for Logan Sargeant, whose average position at the start of the race was 17.23. His teammate Albon started, on average, five positions higher up the grid. To get the full picture of all drivers, see the table below:

Source: RacingNews365