The 2019 Formula 1 season will long be remembered as a defining chapter in the storied history of the sport. For UK fans, it offered drama, fresh rivalries, and a familiar champion at the summit. The standings from 2019 tell a story not just of victory, but of transition, resilience, and remarkable feats on the track. This article unpacks the key moments, explores the statistics that shaped the year, and offers a UK-centric window into a campaign that captured the nation’s attention.
Setting the Scene: The Anticipation of 2019
At the start of 2019, there was a mood of anticipation across the paddock and British living rooms alike. With updates to aerodynamic regulations aiming to spice up racing and lead to closer battles, analysts and fans predicted a tighter title fight. The consensus in UK media circles, including Sky Sports and the BBC, was that Ferrari might finally close the gap to Mercedes, while Red Bull’s switch to Honda engines added an extra layer of intrigue to the midfield and top-tier mix. Jenson Button, adding his voice to the build-up, told Sky Sports, “There is so much to look forward to. There are so many changes in the sport at the moment and that’s exactly what the sport needs”.
Mercedes: A Continuing Domination
Despite pre-season predictions of closer competition, the team to beat in 2019 remained Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team. The stats speak for themselves. Lewis Hamilton, the pride of Stevenage, finished atop the Drivers’ Standings with 413 points, securing his sixth World Drivers’ Championship. He won 11 grand prix races and remained consistent across the year, only once finishing outside the points.
Valtteri Bottas, his Finnish teammate, ended the season as runner-up with 326 points, putting in a career-best performance with four race wins. Behind the scenes, the team’s operational precision, strategic calls under pressure, and close working relationships shone through in the BBC, who noted the team’s “unmatched efficiency and unity”.
The Ferrari Rollercoaster
Ferrari came into the year with what many considered the fastest car in winter testing. Yet by the season’s end, the Italian squad had to settle for second place in the Constructors’ Championship with 504 points, a distant shadow to Mercedes’ 739. Charles Leclerc, in his maiden campaign with Ferrari, emerged as a new star. The Monégasque driver clinched two wins (Belgium and Italy) and finished fourth overall with 264 points, making a strong case as the brightest new face at the sharp end.
Sebastian Vettel, the team’s veteran, finished fifth on 240 points, memorably taking victory in Singapore but struggling with errors and internal team politics. The BBC’s F1 review put it succinctly: “Vettel faces a career crossroads, needing to recover the consistency that once defined him”.
Red Bull and the Honda Gamble
Red Bull Racing, now powered by Honda, started the year with cautious optimism. The partnership soon bore fruit. Max Verstappen finished third in the standings, tallying 278 points and three vital race victories (Austria, Germany, and Brazil) that showcased his aggressive racing style. This was the year Verstappen truly cemented his status as a world-class operator, winning in unpredictable conditions, as seen in Hockenheim’s rain-affected race.
The UK’s motorsport experts commended the Dutch driver’s maturity. One Sky commentator reflected, “If Verstappen can combine this aggression with measured risk, the championship is just a matter of time”.
The Rise of Charles Leclerc
Few stories were bigger than Charles Leclerc’s. The 21-year-old, still in only his second year of F1, outscored his much more experienced teammate Vettel and won both the Belgian and Italian Grands Prix. Silverstone reverberated with cheers as Leclerc’s season-long duel with Verstappen turned the pair into instant fan favourites. Leclerc’s progress is a point of pride for Ferrari and for a sport always in search of the next British rival.
Midfield Battles and British Success
2019 was a breakthrough year for the McLaren team. Carlos Sainz Jr. and rookie Lando Norris pushed the orange cars to fourth in the Constructors’ Standings. Sainz, in particular, returned McLaren to the podium for the first time since 2014, achieving third in a dramatic Brazilian Grand Prix. Norris’s stellar adaptation and playful off-track personality made him an instant darling for British fans. Industry voices regarded Norris and Sainz as one of the year’s most harmonious and quickest duos.
Elsewhere, Racing Point’s Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll, Renault’s Daniel Ricciardo and Nico Hulkenberg, and Toro Rosso’s Pierre Gasly and Daniil Kvyat kept the midfield honest. Gasly’s redemption story, moving from Red Bull back to Toro Rosso and finishing second at Interlagos, demonstrated the unpredictable nature of Formula 1 at its best.
The George Russell and Williams Story
Williams’ 2019 was, by all accounts, forgettable. Yet it offered British rookie George Russell an opportunity to show his mettle. Despite a car firmly at the back of the grid, Russell’s consistency, composure, and positive attitude attracted praise from UK pundits. “He barely put a wheel wrong all year”, noted RaceFans, who added he was “a picture of perseverance”.
The Key Races That Shaped 2019
The year gave British audiences a smorgasbord of classic grand prix drama. The Silverstone race was a highlight, with Lewis Hamilton making a decisive strategy call to win in front of home fans. The German Grand Prix at Hockenheim, as reviewed in multiple British sources, saw chaos in the rain, crashes, and a surprise podium that included Toro Rosso’s Daniil Kvyat.
Brazil’s grand prix featured late drama, with Verstappen winning and Gasly fending off Hamilton for second. These moments lit up UK screens and trended across news platforms, demonstrating that F1, when unpredictable, is at its very best.
New Rules, New Rivalries
The 2019 season was also marked by a raft of technical changes, most notably simplified front wings designed to encourage overtaking and closer racing. While their effect was hotly debated, the close racing between Leclerc and Verstappen in Austria and Silverstone, as well as Hamilton’s epic duels with Verstappen, exemplified the fun that can come from more unpredictable on-track battles.
Voices from the UK Paddock
British media coverage benefited from the insight of local experts. Martin Brundle, David Croft, Karun Chandhok, and former champion Damon Hill offered analysis that helped UK fans understand the deeper narratives at play. The view across pundit panels was largely unified: 2019 was a thrilling season, introducing a new star in Leclerc, cementing Verstappen as a true contender, and keeping the home faithful engaged by delivering high drama and heroics for Hamilton.
The Constructors’ Perspective
The final standings underline the scale of Mercedes’ dominance. With 739 points, the team not only won the Constructors’ title but did so in a way that echoed dominance from previous years. Ferrari was second with 504, and Red Bull, on 417, celebrated victory in the Honda era—returning the Japanese marque to the winner’s circle for the first time since 2006.
McLaren’s 145 points and fourth-place finish marked a substantial improvement after several years in the doldrums. For Renault, Toro Rosso, Racing Point, Alfa Romeo, Haas, and Williams, the season provided ample lessons and sharper tools for building towards 2020.
The Legacy of 2019 in the UK
For British fans, the 2019 season offered a familiar home hero in Hamilton, but also new faces to cheer for. Lando Norris and George Russell showcased the depth of UK driving talent. Their presence, coupled with Hamilton’s ongoing excellence, ensured motorsport’s popularity across the UK remained as fervent as ever.
Media and Cultural Impact
British TV coverage was intense. Sky Sports F1’s comprehensive, live broadcast schedule deepened its bond with avid fans, while Channel 4 ensured highlights and analysis reached wider audiences. BBC Sport and The Guardian chronicled the off-track controversies as well as the on-track brilliance, ensuring F1 was rarely out of the national conversation.
Looking to the Future
As 2019 gave way to 2020 and beyond, Lewis Hamilton’s legacy only grew. His sixth title moved him within one of equalling Michael Schumacher’s all-time record. The rise of Leclerc and Verstappen promised fiercer competition on the horizon—a point that British journalists discussed with both excitement and anticipation.
FAQ Section
Who won the 2019 Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship?
Lewis Hamilton claimed his sixth world title with 413 points, marking another triumphant year for the British driver.
Where did Mercedes finish in the 2019 Constructors’ Standings?
Mercedes dominated with 739 points, winning both the Constructors’ title and outperforming Ferrari and Red Bull.
What was the most exciting race of 2019?
Many experts and fans point to the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim as the year’s standout, packed with rain, drama, and unexpected results.
How did British drivers perform in 2019?
Lewis Hamilton starred as world champion, with British rookies Lando Norris (McLaren) and George Russell (Williams) greatly impressing, keeping the UK proud of its racing pedigree.
Which new talents made an impact in 2019?
Charles Leclerc’s two wins and spirited driving led the headlines, while Lando Norris and Alex Albon offered glimpses of the future. The midfield saw Carlos Sainz and Pierre Gasly deliver their best F1 results to date.
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