The M23 made his debut in the 1973 season with Denny Hulme at the wheel, in the South African Grand Prix, in which the New Zealander driver immediately took pole position, followed by fifth place in the race. During the season the car was first on three occasions (with Hulme in Sweden, and with Peter Revson in Great Britain and Canada). In the year he then conquered 2 gpv (always with Hulme), three third places (one each for Hulme, Revson and Jacky Ickx), and another 8 points placements, for a total of 56 championship points. In the second part of the season, in addition to the two regular drivers, a third driver was often entrusted (once to Ickx, on other occasions to Jody Scheckter). Scheckter was, among other things, responsible for the big accident that occurred during the British Grand Prix.