F1 2023 vs 2022: How the standings stack up after latest Australian Grand Prix

Considering where Red Bull and Max Verstappen were this time last year, yet still won a comfortable title double, it shows that the battle in F1 2023 is far from done.

The utterly dominant start which Red Bull have made to the F1 2023 campaign has created the impression that the titles are wrapped up already, and with good reason it could be argued.

Verstappen won from pole in Bahrain and Australia, while Sergio Perez did the same in Saudi Arabia, and it means that the Drivers’ and Constructors’ standings following the Australian Grand Prix make for delightful reading for Red Bull as the team navigates this April break.

With 69 points on the board, Verstappen is 15 points clear of Perez at the top of the standings, and then 24 up on Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso, while in the Constructors’, Red Bull boast a lead of 58 points over Aston Martin already.

However, if we take a look back at the standings from this time last year, after the same trio of races, it was Charles Leclerc and Ferrari flying high, with many people also believing that there was no stopping their respective title charge either, how wrong such believers were.

This tells us two things: the first is that we should not write off a title challenger emerging for Red Bull, as last season the team and Verstappen ultimately went on rampaging form after Ferrari’s strong start, which saw Verstappen win 15 of the 22 grands prix and clinch the title with four rounds to spare.

The second thing the Championship comparison tells us is that Ferrari have made a truly terrible start to the F1 2023 campaign.

Leclerc was P1 in the standings after the 2022 Australian GP, a mighty 34 points clear of his closest challenger George Russell  -even if Verstappen’s two DNFs by that stage played a major role – while Ferrari were atop the Constructors’ with a buffer of 39 points, boasting a grand total of 104.

So, compare that to F1 2023 with three rounds gone, and Ferrari’s current tally of 26 points shows just how far the Scuderia has fallen, with race pace struggles and reliability woes continuing to hold the team back.

Leclerc has collected just six points this season compared to 71 this time last year.  No wonder he appears so downhearted right now.

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Elsewhere, Mercedes have remained relatively stable in their early-season exploits, slightly better off this time around than they were in F1 2022 after three rounds, though George Russell’s comparative points tally shows a decline, that is largely down to his 2023 Australia DNF.

Meanwhile Aston Martin and their drivers, the rejuvenated Alonso and Lance Stroll, join Red Bull in the section for major gainers.

Let us take a full look then through the points tallies for the teams and all 16 drivers to go racing in 2022 and 2023, to see whether progress has been made, or if it needs to arrive soon.

Drivers’ standings: 2023 vs 2022 post-Australian Grand Prix

Max Verstappen: 69 points (25 in 2022)
Sergio Perez: 54 (30)
Fernando Alonso: 45 (2)
Lewis Hamilton: 38 (28)
Carlos Sainz: 20 (33)
Lance Stroll: 20 (0)
George Russell: 18 (37)
Lando Norris: 8 (16)
Charles Leclerc: 6 (71)
Valtteri Bottas: 4 (12)
Esteban Ocon: 4 (20)
Pierre Gasly: 4 (6)
Zhou Guanyu: 2 (1)
Yuki Tsunoda: 1 (4)
Kevin Magnussen: 1 (12)
Alex Albon: 1 (1)

Constructors’ standings

Red Bull: 123 points (55 in 2022)
Aston Martin: 65 (0)
Mercedes: 56 (65)
Ferrari: 26 (104)
McLaren: 12 (24)
Alpine: 8 (22)
Haas: 7 (13)
Alfa Romeo: 6 (12)
AlphaTauri: 1 (10)
Williams: 1 (1)