Suzuka proved there are still a few things left to be won or lost in F1's 2023 season.
Winner: Liam Lawson, the Alpine drivers. But then he turned in another solid performance on Sunday, finishing P11 after an energetic back-and-forth race and chase with Tsunoda throughout. That’s two P11s, a P9, and a P13 for the 21-year-old in four races . That’s a high bar of consistency most midfield and backmarker teams will covet when contract renewal discussions begin next summer. Seats could open at Haas, Alpine, Ferrari, and even Red Bull.
After AlphaTauri’s lineup announcement made Sargeant the only F1 driver without a confirmed contract for next season, the 22-year-old driver crashed his car. Then he hit Valtteri Bottas early and retired from the damage. Sargeant has suffered damage or crashed his car in every race since Spa.