The key areas where 2023's F1 dominator shades its 1993 counterpart

OPINION: The statistics recorded by the 1993 Williams FW15C and the current Red Bull RB19 highlight a fascinating contrast between Formula 1 eras. Both were, by some margin, the fastest cars of their respective seasons, but Red Bull has been far more clinical in closing off areas for rival teams to claim surprise scalps

Published Nov 18, 2023, 2:40 PM

Two great Formula 1 cars, both including the work of Adrian Newey. One has an average edge in qualifying of 0.207 seconds and has so far managed 19 victories from 20 grands prix (95%), while the other enjoyed a massive advantage of 0.996s and yet ‘only’ won 10 of its 16 races (63%).

The differing records of the 2023 Red Bull RB19 and the 1993 Williams FW15C, in many ways the most sophisticated F1 car of all time, reveal a lot about how things have changed in 30 years. While witnessing Red Bull’s domination despite only starting 1-2 once, it’s hard to imagine how Williams didn’t put up similar numbers with its 12 front-row lockouts.

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Author Kevin Turner

Kevin Turner is Autosport’s Chief Editor. While studying History at the University of York, Kevin began covering UK club events as a freelance reporter for Autosport and Motorsport News. He joined the Autosport staff as Editorial Assistant on the magazine in 2006, winning what is now known as the Motorsport UK Young Journalist of the Year Award. He became National Editor in 2008 and over the next few seasons covered a range of international events, including the Le Mans 24 Hours, as well as the British Touring Car Championship and British GT. Kevin became Features Editor before switching to edit Motorsport News in 2014.

He returned to Autosport in 2016 to become editor of the magazine, a dream job that is still part of his role.

He became Chief Editor in 2020, helping to plan content for autosport.com and Autosport’s podcast as well as seeing the magazine through the coronavirus pandemic. Kevin also led work on the special publication celebrating 70 years of Autosport and has been a judge on the Aston Martin Autosport BRDC Young Driver Award, formerly known as the McLaren Autosport BRDC Award, since 2008. He lives in Fleet with his wife and two children.