Formula 1 conducted its annual poll for the sixth time in 2023 and asked team principals to rank the top ten drivers on the grid currently.
Formula 1 asked the team principal of every single team to rank who they believe to be the top ten drivers of the 2023 season and an F1 point-scoring system was applied.
The first driver got 25 points, and the tenth driver got assigned one point. The scores were then counted to create the table of the final results that you can see below.
Max Verstappen has been voted the best driver of the year by team principals for the third consecutive time in a row, matching his Championship title streak.
After as successful a season as the triple World Champion had in 2023, nobody can dispute his qualities anymore. Fernando Alonso found himself in a car that allowed him to show what he's got, and team principals noticed.
The Spanish matador ranked second behind Verstappen, improving six positions year-to-year. Lando Norris stated the 2023 season has been his best in Formula One so far, and he was ranked the third best.
Both Ferrari drivers, who are currently negotiating their contracts beyond season 2024, made it into the top ten. The team principals ranked Charles Leclerc in fourth and Carlos Sainz in sixth place.
The seven-time World Champion separated the two Ferrari drivers, and as opposed to the previous season, he ranked better than his teammate Geroge Russell, who is now ninth,
The two drivers who haven't been in the top 10 in the previous season are Oscar Piastri and Alex Albon. The McLaren rookie recorded an impressive first season in F1, while the Williams driver showed his strengths by helping Williams finish the Championship in seventh place.
Lastly, Sergio Perez was scored as the 10th-best driver of the year. The Mexican was outperformed by his teammate by 290 in 2023 but plans to challenge for the title in 2024.
Position | Driver | Team |
1. | Max Verstappen | Red Bull |
2. | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin |
3. | Lando Norris | McLaren |
4. | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari |
5. | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes |
6. | Carlos Sainz | Ferrari |
7. | Oscar Piastri | McLaren |
8. | Alex Albon | Williams |
9. | George Russell | Mercedes |
10. | Sergio Perez | Red Bull |