Now that you’re up to speed with the F1 2023 season key dates, it’s time to check out grid changes. There have been multiple driver switches over the winter. Let’s check out what’s in store for you in this record-breaking 2023 season.

2023 F1 New Driver Updates

Lots to look forward to this month! #F1 pic.twitter.com/RtuJyFxCfJ

— Formula 1 (@F1) February 1, 2023

READ MORE: Can Lewis Hamilton Win Another F1 Title?

Alonso in green

After returning to the sport with Alpine two seasons ago, the two-time champion decided to head in another direction this time and secured a contract with Aston Martin. The news came after the Hungarian Grand Prix checkered flag dropped and amplified the whirlwind happening between Oscar Piastri and the French team. This kick-started several changes across the grid. The 41-year-old Spanish driver joins Lance Stroll and company ahead of the team’s move to its new factory in May. These two changes, including adding a veteran driver to the pairing, hopes to help the cars challenge the frontrunners.

Oscar Piastri’s career starts with McLaren

Piastri was acknowledged as the most exciting young driver entering the sport. His appearance in F1 was anticipated. As an Alpine junior driver, the ideal trajectory was to secure a seat with the French team. However, certain circumstances pointed him in a different direction. Alonso and Ocon looked locked in until the former announced his plans to move to Aston Martin in 2023. By that time, Piastri and manager Mark Webber waited long enough for a permanent deal and signed a contract with McLaren for Piastro to take Ricciardo’s seat. This shook the Formula 1 space as it set higher expectations for Piastri in an erratic welcome into the sport.

An American driver back on the grid

The seven-year absence of any American driver on the grid was put to an end by Logan Sargeant. He secured a contract with Williams this year despite looking like Colton Herta was the country’s prime candidate for the position. However, the latter’s IndyCar performance blocked him from a shot at a Super License and a move to AlphaTauri. Meanwhile, Sargeant, who finished fourth in Formula 2 last year, impressed Williams in his development driver role and was declared as Nicholas Latifi’s replacement for 2023. He will drive alongside former Red Bull driver Alex Albon.

AlphaTauri updates

The 2020-21 Formula E World Champion, Nyck de Vries shocked the grid in his first Formula 1 appearance. The Dutch driver stood in for Albon in Italy when the Thai driver was recovering from appendicitis and delivered an exceptional P9 finish by the end of his stint. Since then, he was on the radar of AlphaTauri. Pierre Gasly emerged as Alpine’s top pick to replace Alonso since losing the Piastri tussle with McLaren. A timely super-sub performance by the Dutchman convinced AlphaTauri to look the other way and sign the Formula E driver. This means Gasly drives next to Esteban Ocon in an all-French lineup at Alpine while de Vries makes his debut as a starting driver next to Yuki Tsunoda at Red Bull’s sister team.

The Hulk recurrence

Haas parted ways with Mick Schumacher and brought in veteran Nico Hülkenberg. It was said that the United States-based team ran out of patience with Schumacher’s costly crashes, which forced a major driver change. The 35-year-old raced five times in three seasons as a reserve driver for Aston Martin but is yet to complete a full season since 2019. Haas looks forward to the new combination bringing consistent results and a slimmer repair bill. Meanwhile, Schumacher will remain in the sport as Mercedes’ reserve driver.

Where to Bet on F1 with Crypto

Formula 1 features a continuously growing betting market for veteran and novice punters. Motorsport lovers will get a kick out of our F1 odds selection, which features Drivers and Constructors’ Championship futures and outright winners of each Grand Prix.

This is just one of the many sports betting guides that you can read here at Nitrobetting news. Stay tuned for more Formula 1 previews and articles, and don’t forget to check out the latest sports betting odds at our crypto sportsbook.