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Red Bull Racing

Is any explanation necessary here? Twelve Grands Prix, 12 wins. There is no measure of Red Bull Racing. No team in the rich history of Formula 1 has previously performed like the Austrian team has so far. Of course, with Max Verstappen, Red Bull has the best driver on the grid within its ranks. Moreover, the RB19 is so strong that an average racing driver like Sergio Perez (despite all his sporting malaise through the year) can still finish second in the championship. There is nothing left but to pay a huge compliment to Red Bull for what has already been achieved in 2023.

Objective: Of course Red Bull wants to win all the races this season. Without bad luck or accidents, it is possible. The target becomes more realistic if Perez performs to the strength of his car on a weekly basis. Should Verstappen then struggle with an engine failure once, the Mexican should actually take the win without any problems.

Aston Martin

Of course, the last few weeks of the first half of the season did not go as crescendo as in the early months, but let's be honest: Aston Martin has already performed above expectations this season. Six times Fernando Alonso has already been on the podium, to the surprise of everyone at the English team. That things could slow down at some point was calculated. On the one hand because Aston Martin is still in the midst of development - for instance, with the move to a new factory - but also because there is only one top driver on board. If Alonso is not having his day, Lance Stroll is not someone who can then set himself up as the leader.

Objective: Getting back on the podium from time to time is a realistic goal, even if Mercedes, McLaren and perhaps even Ferrari have overtaken Aston Martin in the development race. At Aston Martin, no doubt nobody is worried, should a renewed trip to the podium fail to materialise further. The team is already thinking about the 2024 season, when it might be able to compete seriously for wins.

Mercedes

For a team that was used to consistently taking both the drivers' and constructors' titles, it may sound strange. Yet Mercedes' season may be categorised under the heading of top. Lewis Hamilton and George Russell's car cannot keep up with the Red Bulls. No one can. Behind the Austrians, there is a fierce battle for spot two in the constructors' championship and, for now, Mercedes has it firmly in hand. Every race the Germans manage to optimise. Sometimes it is spot two, other times spot four. But whatever it becomes: it is always the maximum achievable. Moreover, Hamilton's pole in Hungary was a piece of art.

Objective: Mercedes yearns for a win. Or rather, Lewis Hamilton yearns for his 104th win in Formula 1. On a day when Red Bull hits a blip, Mercedes will want to be there to take full advantage.

Williams

Imagine this: Williams had two decent drivers. What would the world of the tradition-rich team look like then. Currently, Alex Albon single-handedly carries Williams, and he does it superbly. He has already taken eleven points for team owner James Vowles, who has clearly taken Williams in his stride. It is noticeable from everything: this is certainly not an end point for Williams, there is so much more in store.

Objective: Logan Sargeant is the dissonant in the F1 company. The American has yet to pick up a single point, although his car is capable of finishing among the first 10. Surely that should be able to change in the second half of the season, say at Monza - a track that should suit the car well?

McLaren

The way McLaren started the season was shameful. More than once, the English team did not even manage to get through Q1. Not because of bad luck, no really because of a lack of speed. A former top team like McLaren can never be satisfied with its first months. But credit where credit is due: through hard work, they managed to turn the MCL60 into a car that competes for the podium. McLaren is coming along, at least at the Grands Prix shortly before the summer break. So from a flop, McLaren has already become (somewhat) top.

Objective: One week it's Mercedes, the other Aston Martin. And recently, therefore, a couple of times McLaren; Red Bull Racing's main 'challenger'. With no major updates yet to come, McLaren wants to keep playing at the top. Meanwhile, management restructuring continues in the background. With all the newcomers on board shortly, McLaren's focus will soon be on 2024.

Flop

Ferrari

How differently they had imagined this season. Ferrari thought they had a real chance of winning a world title in early 2023. In reality, the Italians are fourth among constructors and only managed to drive their drivers to the podium twice (Charles Leclerc in both cases). Chaos also regularly reigns under Fred Vasseur and irritation is noticeable with Leclerc and (mainly) Sainz. No, 2023 will soon go down in the books as the year of victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans by the Ferrari hypercar, while the F1 results will soon be forgotten.

Objective: The 2023 season may be considered lost, so the gaze internally is fixed on the future. A key issue is going to be whether or not to extend Charles Leclerc's contract. The Monegasque is the perfect driver for the Italian team. It is therefore in Ferrari's interest to secure him for longer before the turn of the year.

Alpine

Well Alpine. What a lot has already happened to the French this season: drivers who have already eliminated each other from a Grand Prix several times, a car that is not good enough to even compete in the sub-top (apart from Monaco), and above all, a laundry list of sackings. Or yes, team boss Otmar Szafnauer has officially left by mutual agreement. So much bickering internally is never good for performance, and that has already become clear.

Objective: Rest! After months in which the accusations towards each other flew ceaselessly across the table internally, Alpine's main aim is to restore calm (although there has been none for many years). The yet-to-be-found new team boss should ensure that. Now all that remains is to find someone willing to step into this hornet's nest.

Haas

Up front: even in the first half of the season, Guenther Steiner often plays the role of Guenther Steiner delightfully. But what team owner Gene Haas would love it if the cars of Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen performed as well as Steiner nattering. In qualifying, Haas was regularly fine, only to drop way back in the races. Another season of Haas not playing a significant role, even with two experienced men in the cockpits.

Objective: Haas hopes to finally discover the big flaw: why is the car usually fine over one lap, but barely making progress in the race? Once the cause is known, the solution can be worked on.

Alfa Romeo

Alfa Romeo is well into its farewell tour, before the Italian car brand leaves Sauber as name sponsor next winter. For now, it is a season without highlights. From everything, the Swiss radiate that they are in the middle of a transition phase until they are factory Audi team: no achievements (and no one seems to care) and two drivers who above all do not stand out. The most anonymous team on the grid is having an anonymous season.

Objective: Get through the year, go on holiday and enter the second (of three) mid-season as Sauber.

AlphaTauri

Three points conquered AlphaTauri so far, yet the team erased the spotlight more than regularly. The much-discussed dismissal of Nyck de Vries and the return of Daniel Ricciardo obviously stand out the most, but there was plenty of other news. Think of the announced departure of team boss Franz Tost and the arrival of Laurent Mekies as his successor. So what was it not about? Good results. Or rather; acceptable results. While Red Bull Racing dominates Formula 1, its sister team is the laughing stock. Ouch!

Objective: No doubt AlphaTauri wants to improve the car and take as many points as possible. At the same time, there is also realism: the team's main focus will be on 2024. Important questions lie ahead, such as what the team's new name will be, which drivers will drive and how to improve that dramatically bad car.