Number 6. Nico Hulkenberg
After making a few cameos as Aston Martin’s reserve driver, Hulkenberg secured a permanent spot in the team, edging out Mick Schumacher to partner Magnussen in F1 2023. Although the duo had some disagreements in the past, they will form one of the most seasoned driver line-ups on the grid.
Number 7. Zhou Guanyu
Last season, Guanyu Zhou made an impressive debut for Alfa Romeo by scoring points in his first race. This achievement solidified his potential as a driver who had recently graduated from Formula 2. Zhou’s performance alongside his teammate, Valtteri Bottas, was impressive enough to earn him another year with the team for the upcoming F1 2023 season. However, with highly-rated Sauber youngster Théo Pourchaire and German driver Mick Schumacher potentially waiting in the wings, Zhou will need to prove his worth and consistency if he is to remain with the team. This will be crucial as Sauber/Alfa Romeo makes its transition towards becoming an Audi factory team. It will be an exciting season to see whether Zhou can meet the expectations placed on him, especially with the highly-rated young drivers waiting in the wings.
