The first five races of the 2019 Formula One season ended in one-two finishes for Mercedes.
An historic run from the sport’s dominant force, and it set the foundations for an unassailable lead for the Lewis Hamilton in the Drivers’ Championship and the Silver Arrows in the Constructors.
Hamilton recorded a sixth title, and it wasn’t under pressure after the opening rounds. The Brit secured it with two races to go, but that doesn’t tell the full story.
Hamilton finished 87 points clear of his nearest challenger Valtteri Bottas and 135 ahead of the closest non-Mercedes driver Max Verstappen.
There were some great races in the 2019 season. The German and Brazilian Grands Prix were bonkers, weather wreaking havoc on both occasions.
The Italian and Austrian races provided wheel-to-wheel duels, Charles Leclerc and Hamilton battling at Monza and Max Verstappen tussling with Leclerc at the Red Bull Ring.
Despite that, it was a season devoid of teeth-gritted title rivalry. A campaign that had a healthy portion of fiery moments (particularly between the Ferrari drivers), but it was unfulfilling for the neutral.
Germany, Brazil, Italy and Austria hosted thrilling Sundays, and there were other fun-to-watch races. It just lacked a Championship chase with Bottas unable to keep pace with Hamilton, arguably the best F1 driver of all-time, after a good start.
Mercedes winning 10 of the first 12, eight of which saw Hamilton atop the podium, was a major factor. The tendency for races to slump into procession wasn’t all about the dominance of the cars, though.
Under current regulations, Formula One cars struggle when following each other closely. This is exaggerated at some tracks and was particularly frustrating at the Mexican Grand Prix.
There are metaphorical barriers to overtaking, to cars sticking on the rear wing of their adversary. This is something the sport needs to correct in the coming seasons.
Young Talents
An influx of young talent was one of the biggest positives about the 2019 season. The next generation of title contenders are set.
It goes well beyond the burgeoning Leclerc-Verstappen contest, spreading down the grid to Alex Albon at Red Bull, Lando Norris at McLaren and George Russell at Williams. All three impressed last season.
Renault have landed 23-year-old Esteban Ocon for 2020 after he was mystifyingly without a seat in 2019. Carlos Sainz, the driver of the year for many, is only 25.
Nicholas Latifi will be Russell’s teammate this year, and Pierre Gasly – despite a very difficult 2019 season both professionally and personally – heads into the campaign on a positive note after a second-place finish in Brazil.
Following the development these young talents was one of the highlights in 2019. It gives something to watch over in 2020 too.
They won’t all enjoy stellar seasons, but this fresh cohort of Formula One drivers are jostling for favour ahead of seats potentially opening up on the top teams and looking to lay down a marker before the sport undergoes severe alterations for 2021.
Norris and Sainz will continue their tight-fought duel at McLaren, and Ocon returns with a point to prove alongside the always entertaining Daniel Ricciardo.
Russell has been suggested as a Bottas replacement in the not too distant future – it will be great to see him with a teammate who can really challenge him in Latifi.
The grid is filled with likeable drivers. There are plenty looking to make a career, and several veterans determined to prove they are still quicker than these youngsters a decade or more younger than them.
Regulations Similar
Referred to as ‘evolution, not revolution’ on Formula One’s website, the regulation changes are subtle for 2020 before the overhaul in 2021.
The chequered flag returns in 2020 following controversy at Suzuka. A light panel replaced the flag for 2019 (though the flag was often waved too), but a glitch caused the race to finish a lap early in Japan.
The trusty flag returns for the new season. It’s not exactly a game-changer for fans.
There will be longer curfews for mechanics, less testing (but young drivers will be used more), no screens to hide the car testing and less electronic assistance at starts. Teams can keep less fuel outside the tank, too.
None of the aforementioned impact the Sunday racing that much, but an extra MGU-K will reduce penalties. Brake ducts now must be designed by the teams themselves rather than bought in.
When it comes to close combat, a restriction on metal at the end of the front wing should mean fewer punctures and hopefully empower drivers to go wheel-to-wheel.
The snazzily named ‘shark fins’ sound a lot more important than they are. It’s meant to help fans distinguish between drivers, but the impact on the performance will be minute.
Changes for 2020 are no more than fiddling round the edges. There’s nothing that’s going to throw up drastically different performances or mix up the grid.
More Of The Same?
Mercedes are the 2/5 betting favourites to make it seven Constructors’ Championships on the bounce.
Hamilton is 7/4 to match Michael Schumacher’s tally, comfortably ahead of his teammate Bottas and Red Bull’s Verstappen, who are both at 7/2.
A new season brings a whole set of uncertainties. Stark changes to the balance of power in Formula One are improbable, however – that’s much more likely in 2021.
For now, the riches of the big three teams, and largely similar regulations, favour the status quo.
McLaren, who had a brilliant 2019, and Renault, who are eyeing a return to the top, both have a chance at sneaking into serious contention, but it might be a year too soon.
The 2019 campaign showed everyone how far the upper-midfield teams have to go before they can be consistently challenging for podium finishes.
Fans hoping to see more of Hamilton’s best Grand Prix wins or individual enthralling races have every reason to look forward to the 2020 Formula One season.
If it’s a major shake up you’re seeking, this probably isn’t the season that your wish will be granted.
*Credit for the main photo belongs to Joan Monfort / AP Photo*
