First Win in 2023 for Lando Norris, First Points for Pastor Maldonado

Qualifying:

Pos	#	Driver	Constructor	Q1	Q2	Diff.
1	47	Lando Norris		1:14.821	1:12.967
2	18	Sebastian Vettel		1:13.470	1:13.685	+0.503
3	56	Einar Ármannsson		1:14.206	1:14.276	+1.239
4	23	Jules Bianchi		1:14.543	1:14.431	+1.464
5	39	Sho Tsuboi		1:15.074	1:14.664	+1.697
6	20	Kevin Magnussen		1:15.017	1:15.616	+2.050
7	88	Robert Kubica		1:15.203	1:15.201	+2.234
8	29	Roger Ibe		1:15.909	1:15.705	+2.738
9	94	Pascal Wehrlein		1:15.707	1:15.857	+2.740
10	1	Victoria Desai		1:16.405	1:15.901	+2.934
11	7	Charles Leclerc		1:15.978	1:15.905	+2.938
12	70	Pastor Maldonado		1:16.055	1:16.404	+3.008
13	33	Max Verstappen		1:16.811	1:16.136	+3.169
14	60	Ritomo Miyata		1:16.174	1:16.377	+3.207
15	57	Dean Stoneman		1:16.550	1:16.297	+3.330
16	63	George Russell		1:16.814	1:16.440	+3.473
17	26	Robert Shwartzman		1:16.472	1:16.449	+3.482
18	10	Alessio Lorandi		1:16.895	1:16.558	+3.591
19	81	Malik Zidan		1:17.208	1:16.833	+3.866
20	55	Carlos Sainz, Jr.		1:17.583	1:17.371	+4.404
21	4	Robin Frijns		1:17.644	1:17.419	+4.452
22	95	Beitske Visser		1:17.685	1:17.685	+4.718
23	80	Raven Roth		1:18.630	1:18.411	+5.444
24	98	Colton Herta		1:18.571	1:18.647	+5.604
25	11	Terry Hawkin		1:19.591	1:19.456	+6.489
26	21	Théo Pourchaire		1:21.197	1:21.120	+8.153

Report:

For the eighteenth time, Formula One returned to the Indian subcontinent. With the nation set to become the most populated country on the planet in the near future, many (potential) Formula 1 fans were eager to welcome the stars of racing.

As was established in the previous two Grands Prix, Caterham are the class of the field. Even Sebastian Vettel’s silly error that forced him nearly to the back of the field could not change that, he would work his way back up to third eventually.

As Lando Norris was left to take an uncontested hat-trick, other drivers also had their moment in the light. Pastor Maldonado scored the first top 5 finish for Williams in 2023 with a good drive and MRT once again got a second-place finish, Red Bull again managed to have both cars in the points.

Where there is light, there is darkness and nothing represents darkness in Formula One right now as much as Fernando Alonso’s team. Terry Hawkin made negative headlines by randomly stopping on the track, possibly to express his frustration with the FA-05.

Race:

Pos	#	Driver	Constructor	Time/Retired	Grid	Points
1	47	Lando Norris		65:13.700	1	11
2	56	Einar Ármannsson		+45.510	3	8
3	18	Sebastian Vettel		1 Lap	2	6
4	20	Kevin Magnussen		1 Lap	6	5
5	70	Pastor Maldonado		1 Lap	12	4
6	33	Max Verstappen		1 Lap	13	3
7	29	Roger Ibe		2 Laps	8	2
8	39	Sho Tsuboi		2 Laps	5	1
9	1	Victoria Desai		2 Laps	10
10	10	Alessio Lorandi		2 Laps	18
11	26	Robert Shwartzman		2 Laps	17
12	81	Malik Zidan		2 Laps	19
13	60	Ritomo Miyata		2 Laps	14
14	95	Beitske Visser		2 Laps	22
15	63	George Russell		3 Laps	16
16	7	Charles Leclerc		3 Laps	11
17	80	Raven Roth		3 Laps	23
18	4	Robin Frijns		3 Laps	21
19	55	Carlos Sainz, Jr.		3 Laps	20
20	57	Dean Stoneman		3 Laps	15
21	98	Colton Herta		3 Laps	24
22	11	Terry Hawkin		4 Laps	25
23	21	Théo Pourchaire		5 Laps	26
Ret	88	Robert Kubica		Electrical	7
Ret	94	Pascal Wehrlein		Transmission	9
Ret	23	Jules Bianchi		Motor	4

Fastest Lap:

Lando Norris – 1:15.117

Infinite Improbability Drive Of The Race:

Pastor Maldonado – the first points for Williams in 2023 came in a great drive.

Reject Of The Race:

Terry Hawkin – weird protest drew controversy in the sporting world.