Formula 1: Good month, bad month — February 2023

Good Month

Auf wiedersehen, Seb!

So, farewell Sebastian Vettel. The four-time world champ went from wunderkind and youngest driver to win the title to outspoken elder statesman in a mere 15 years. Danke.

Got there in the end 

Big congratulations to the strategy ragazzi on the Ferrari pitwall in Abu Dhabi – they actually got a call right!

Nice Marina

Unbelievably, Yas Marina actually provided some good racing, aided by changes made to the track last year.

Out of the frying pan…

Alfa Romeo boss Frédéric Vasseur has been rewarded for the team’s best constructors’ results in 10 years (sixth) with the Ferrari hot seat.

Going green

F1’s Dorian Gray Fernando Alonso mightily impressed on his first Aston Martin test – will he ever stop?

Bad Month

Awkward moments

The excruciating exchange between Verstappen and Ben Sulayem at the FIA prize-giving shows something still isn’t quite right after the 2021 Abu Debacle GP.

Binned off

After a season of botched pitstops, exploding engines and cars in the wall, Ferrari ejected Mattia Binotto following years of loyal service.

Do not donut

Mick Schumacher barely managed two end-of-season donuts before being told off by Haas.

Final hurdle

After Mercedes went almost the entire season without a mechanical failure, Lewis suffers one at the very last race.

Grove gangplank

After Williams contrived to make an even worse car this season than last, boss Jost Capito was shown the Dorilton-branded door.