7 Reasons To Get Excited for Second Half of the Season

In case you haven't heard, we're back in action this weekend! F1 returns at the Dutch Grand Prix and there's plenty to be excited about over the rest of the year. Here are seven things to watch out and be excited about for in the second half of 2023!

1. Battle for Second

Our aim is always to fight for world championships. If we're not able to do so, our racing spirit doesn't just disappear. Whatever position we are in, we're always fighting to maximise our performance, battle our competitors, and finish as high as possible. This year is no different.

We find ourselves in a hotly contested fight for second in the Constructors' Championship. Heading into the final 10 Grands Prix, we hold a 51-point advantage over the chasing pack. Healthy, but by no means comfortable. The form each race weekend has fluctuated with no clear cut second-fastest team. Our consistency has therefore been an advantage; every race this year, at least one of our cars has finished within the top-seven.

Our focus will be on marrying that consistency with continued progress with the W14. We will be racing hard and giving it our all to claim that second place in the championship.

2023 Standings

2. Iconic Races

The battlegrounds over the rest of the season include some iconic names: Monza, Suzuka, Interlagos and many more.

We begin at two of the most impressive shows of fan support anywhere on the calendar: the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort and the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. Expect to see plenty of orange this weekend, followed by a sea of red as the Tifosi display their allegiances at the 'Temple of Speed'.

From there, it's off to Asia and a double-header in Singapore and Japan. The original night race always dazzles and Suzuka is an all-time classic with devoted fans. Qatar comes next before we depart for the Americas.

Opening that run of races is the incredible US Grand Prix in Austin; always an action-packed event. Mexico follows and the high-altitude challenges of the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. The triple-header is completed at Interlagos in Brazil - more on that later in our list. We then return to the US for the highly-anticipated Las Vegas Grand Prix - see point five - before the season ends in Abu Dhabi.

In short, much to look forward to!

3. Fred Fighting for the Title

We may not be in the Drivers' title fight in F1...but one of our junior drivers is embroiled in their own. Frederik Vesti is in the thick of the battle to claim the Formula 2 championship with just three rounds remaining. In his sophomore year, the Danish driver has displayed impressive speed and consistency. Four wins and three other podium finishes has Fred second, just 12 points behind leader Théo Pourchaire.

The series is in action in both Zandvoort and Monza, two crucial rounds to determine the title. Fred enjoyed a breakthrough weekend at the high-speed Italian venue last year; two second places his best outing of the 2022 season. He will be aiming to replicate that form before then heading to the finale in Abu Dhabi.

Prior to that though, Fred will drive the W14 for the first time as he takes part in FP1 at the Mexico City Grand Prix. "This has been my dream since I was very young and something I've been fighting for through my whole junior career. It's taken a lot of hard work, and this is a very important step for me on my journey," Fred said.

4. Return to Brazil

A driver's maiden F1 victory is always special. In early November, George will return to Interlagos for the first time since his breakthrough Grand Prix victory in Brazil last year. It was a special moment not only for the young Brit but the entire Team. On that day, George showed all the skills that make him one of the most exciting talents on the grid, helping secure a 1-2 finish for the Team.

Racing in Brazil is always memorable. The stands are packed with passionate fans; many supporting honorary Brazilian citizen Lewis Hamilton. The Interlagos circuit itself is an old-school classic. And it's no stranger to epic moments and incredible races. Those are just some of the reasons that make the São Paulo Grand Prix unmissable.

Sao Paulo Grand Prix Facts

Viva Las Vegas!

If you didn't know that we're racing in Las Vegas later this year, then where have you been! The penultimate Grand Prix of the year will see F1 take over the famous strip. The 6.120 km circuit will weave its way past some of Sin City's most famous landmarks in what is sure to be an iconic event. Despite being a street track, speeds are expected to rival that of Monza making for a thrilling spectacle. Oh, and we'll be racing on a Saturday night too.

Want a sneak peek of what's in store? Then check out our visit to Las Vegas last year.

6. Esports Action to Enjoy

In the virtual world, there's also plenty of racing to watch in 2023. We'll be competing in the F1 Esports Pro Series when it returns later in the year, looking to battle back to the front of the field. Lots more details still to come on that!

And there's also Season 2 of ESL R1 - a GT Series that saw us fighting for the title last time out. That begins later this month and runs until the end of November.

All About Our Esports Team

7. The Countdown to 2024 is ON!

The final 10 races will be vital for not only this year but next. As Toto has said, our "sails are set" for 2024 and it's full steam ahead in development terms. Our updates programme will continue with W14. That will add performance to this year's car, but also give us valuable information to feed into the development of W15. Work at Brackley and Brixworth has already begun to focus on next year's challenger. That will only ramp up in the second half of the season. What you see on track in the final three months or so of this year will play an important role in next year's prospects.

2024 Race Calendar