This weekend, the highly-anticipated new Formula 1 season begins with a bang! The 2023 season will consist of 23 races. That means the season will kick off with the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 5, and finish up in Abu Dhabi on November 26, with the brand-new Las Vegas Grand Prix joining the calendar a week before the season finale.

Kriya Gangiah, one of motorsport’s leading female voices in South Africa and host of the popular F1: Track This podcast, shares five exciting things to look forward to ahead of the brand-new racing season.

1) Max Is Going After His Third World Championship.
After two very exciting seasons in Formula 1, Max Verstappen is going after his third world championship. After testing in Bahrain, the Red Bull team is looking strong and could dominate once again this season.

2) Mission 33 Is A Go
Veteran driver Fernando Alonso seems to have finally made a great career move. This year the Spaniard will drive for Aston Martin Racing, who start their third year in Formula 1 - and are looking good after testing in Bahrain. If the team can continue with the excellent form, they could give Alonso his 33rd Grand Prix win, something that he has been eyeing since his last win in 2013.

3) Las Vegas Baby
This year, Formula 1 will see the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix take place towards the end of the year and become the third USA venue on the calendar. The circuit may not be the most exciting track, but the fanfare promises to be electric.

4) More Racing Than Ever!
This season will comprise of twenty-three Grands Prix races with six Sprint races giving fans one of the biggest seasons ever. 

5) F1: Track This Is Back For Season Two!
F1: Track This is a South African Formula 1 analytics show that brings you the latest news from the world of F1. You can listen to insights from motorsport experts from around South Africa. Hosted by Kriya Gangiah and a panel of industry experts, listeners will definitely learn something and have a good laugh while unpacking what promises to be an exciting Formula 1 season.

Listen to the first episode of F1: Track This here.