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Can anyone stop Max Verstappen in 2023?

November 12, 2022
Event Reports
Editorial

Max Verstappen dominated Formula One in the 2022 season, storming to the Drivers’ Championship. The Dutchman got off to a poor start in the first race of the campaign, but then unleashed a clinical run of success to blow away the rest of the competition to secure his second F1 crown on the bounce. Verstappen will once again be the overwhelming favorite in the F1 odds for the title in the 2023 season with the leading sports betting sites.

Bet365 is one of the most popular sites in the world and will bring its top-quality product to Ohio when it becomes active in January. Fans that might not necessarily bet on Formula One will get the chance to look at its range of bet types and odds for next season, especially with the United States hosting three races in 2023.

You will not receive optimum value when backing Verstappen due to his dominance of the sport over the last year, much like Lewis Hamilton at the peak of his powers. So, it might be worth looking at who could knock Verstappen off his perch in 2023 and there are good contenders. Hamilton was off the pace in 2022 and might opt to head off into the sunset with his seven titles, although there are reports that he could sign an extension with Mercedes. There are others in the field that could muster a challenge to prevent the Dutchman from taking a stranglehold of the sport.

Charles Leclerc

At the start of the 2022 season, Leclerc looked like he was on the precipice of a run toward the crown or at least a prominent challenge with an encouraging set of results. The Ferrari driver was inspired in the opening race of the season to notch his first win as mechanical issues left Verstappen reeling down in 17th place at the Bahrain Grand Prix. He solidified his standing with a second-place finish behind Verstappen in Saudi Arabia before triumphing for the second time of the term in Australia. However, Leclerc and Ferrari combined to halt a charge and pave the way for Verstappen to take control and eventually win the Drivers’ Championship.

FERRARI SF90 / Charles Leclerc / MCO / S” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Renzopaso

Since his victory in the third race of the campaign, the Monegasque has managed only one further triumph at the Austrian Grand Prix. There is plenty of blame to be passed around between driver and team. He has found a semblance of rhythm towards the end of the season to perhaps hint that he could raise his game in 2023. We need to see more from Leclerc and Ferrari in terms of consistency to prove that they’re not just a tease.

George Russell

Few would have predicted at the start of the year that Russell would outperform Hamilton for so much of the season. Russell has been solid on the track without overdelivering for Mercedes after replacing Valtteri Bottas. The 24-year-old has a lot of potential and with improvements from Mercedes to their car for next season, Russell should be in place to muster a challenge. He does need to secure his first win sooner rather than later. The longer Russell goes without getting off the mark, the more the pressure will build.

The Brit does not put in many disappointing drives, but spectacular performances have eluded him in his first season with the team. His best display came in the Netherlands Grand Prix when he finished second behind Verstappen. Russell has seen a dip in his form towards the end of the campaign, falling off the pace of Sergio Perez and Leclerc in the race for second. There is more to come from the 24-year-old, but it will take a significant leap in 2023 for him to beat out Verstappen on a regular basis.