F1 Manager 2023 lets you take control of a Formula 1 team, which means that while short-term results are important, you also have to have an eye on the future. Some teams that aren’t in immediate points contention could benefit from bringing a young driver in right away to fast-track their experience.
Last year, everyone grabbed Oscar Piastri right away since he was the best young driver in F1 Manager 2022, but this year there isn’t necessarily a big favorite as an elite young driver. We’ve scouted the full roster and picked out a few that might interest you though.
It’s important to remember that there are some restrictions to signing drivers, though. While there is no Super Licence in F1 Manager 2023, drivers are required to be at least 18 years old and to have completed at least two seasons of F2 or F3 racing.
Theo Pourchaire
Despite finishing second in the FIA Formula 2 championship to Drugovich last year, Frenchman Theo Pourchaire has serious promise. He started his career in junior single-seaters, winning the Junior French F4 championship before moving up to the FIA Formula 3 Championship with Carlin Buzz Racing and ART Grand Prix.
Theo Pourchaire had a close battle with Oscar Piastri for the F3 championship in 2020, ultimately finishing second with only a three-point difference. He followed this up with a second-place finish in F2 in 2022, trailing behind Felipe Drugovich by a significant margin. Currently, he holds the position of first place in the F2 standings of 2023 in front of Frederik Vesti.
For this year’s F1 Manager, Pourchaire has a 75 overall rating, with his strong points being 81 cornering and 77 braking. His smoothness rating of 69 is not as high as desired, but considering he is only 19 years old, there is plenty of time for him to improve.
Felipe Drugovich
Another driver with huge potential is Felipe Drugovich, the reigning 2022 Formula 2 champion. This talented young Brazilian had an outstanding performance last season, achieving four feature race wins and an impressive double victory in Spain. He also managed to reach the podium six more times throughout the year, thanks to the excellent performance of his team, MP Motorsport, who were in full control of the Pirelli tyres.
In F1 Manager 2023, Drugovich joins as the Aston Martin reserve driver with an overall rating of 74. His top attributes are 79 cornering and 79 reactions. He also has a decent 72 smoothness to preserve the tyres and 78 braking to increase his speed.
Richard Verschoor
After a promising debut season in F3, Verschoor graduated to the second tier this year with MP Motorsport. He won the first race of the season in Macau before finishing a disappointing 13th at the Red Bull Ring. In 2023 season of F2, he wears the suits of Van Amersfoort Racing and is doing a great job.
However, he improved in the second half of the season and secured a fifth-place finish with the team. This was enough to earn Verschoor a promotion to the Red Bull Formula 1 Driver Academy.
Verschoor has an overall rating of 74, with tremendous scores of 80 adaptability and 80 control. He also has a smoothness of 78 and an accuracy of 75. His general consistency is excellent, but his outright pace is subpar. You can still work on it, and his ability to prevent mistakes and maintain tyres is critical.
Enzo Fittipaldi
The 2022 season was a remarkable one for Fittipaldi, who came to Abu Dhabi with a title challenge on his mind despite fracturing his heel in Jeddah. The Brazilian will be looking to go even better this year with Rodin Carlin, and his daring overtaking prowess in F2 should make him a strong contender for the crown.
In F1 Manager 2023, Fittipaldi’s initial overall rating is 70. However, the 21-year-old driver has great potential, and his development trait seems high in the game.
Dennis Hauger
After claiming the 2021 F3 crown with PREMA Racing, Hauger is switching to MP Motorsport for the next season. He’ll join the team that helped Felipe Drugovich to the championship, and he’s been appointed as its official reserve driver.
In F1 Manager 2023, Hauger’s initial overall rating is 70. However, he tends to wear out his tires quickly, and his development trait seems high in the game. That’s why Dennis Hauger is considered a promising driver for the future.
