Two races are still to drive in the 2019 Formula 1 season. But in Brazil and Abu Dhabi, it will only go to the day wins, the two world titles went to Mercedes. Again, say critics hoping for more excitement. In the season summary, the view is also towards 2020.
A Formula 1 season traditionally begins with test drives. For years, the racetrack in Barcelona has been used for this purpose. Also in 2019 had been turned in February at the Circuit de Catalunya the first rounds, not only the SPIEGEL Ferrari had subsequently declared the favorite for the World Cup title.
1. Hamilton and Mercedes are the perfect combination
But it all changed, which was due to neglect of the Italian racing team, but above all to the impeccable symbiosis between world champion Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes. The reasons for the ongoing dominance of the Silver Arrows are manifold:
- Hamilton makes almost no driver errors on the track.
- The six-time champion always runs at the limit both in qualifying and in race distances.
- Hamilton can best handle the sensitive material of a Formula 1 racing car, as shown in Mexico's 48 laps on a set of tires.
- Meanwhile, Ferrari has the strongest engine, but Mercedes is also the sixth year in a row, the best package of engine power, reliability and aerodynamics.
- The pit crew of the Silver Arrows reliably delivers best performance and does not mess up tire changes.
- Hamilton's race engineer Peter Bonnington and Mercedes strategist James Vowles respond flexibly to the demands of a race and regularly beat the opponents.
- After years of harsh rivalry between Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, Mercedes has been benefiting from the division of roles between Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas for three years as the clear number two.
2. Boredom remains part of Formula 1
Perfection can quickly lead to boredom in a sport like Formula One. This theme accompanies the premier class of motorsport since 2014, the hybrid technology was introduced and Mercedes since then imports all driver and designer titles. This season was the peak of tiring at Le Castellet. In the French Grand Prix, Hamilton drove from pole position to sixth win of the season in the eighth race, and the rest of the field did not offer any noteworthy motorsport action.
So Ferrari gave the advantage from the hand
Surprise: Formula One has been starting in Australia for years. At the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne, Ferrari is considered a favorite ahead of the 2019 season due to impressions from the test drives. But it happens differently. Valtteri Bottas (photo) wins in front of Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton - and Formula One puzzles: will the Finn in his third year in the Silver Arrows for the title drive?
Only a spark of hope: The track in Bahrain is Ferrari, Sebastian Vettel had won there in 2017 and 2018. And since the test drives it is clear that the Scuderia has the best engine in the field. So it is not surprising that Charles Leclerc drives to the pole position. But in the race, it suggests how diverse the problems are at Ferrari. Leclerc falls back in third place with technical problems shortly before the end, and Vettel loses and passes his front wing after a spin.
In top form: defending champion Lewis Hamilton thanks after the Chinese Grand Prix with his fans. The Briton overtook teammate Bottas in second after qualifying at the start and did not relinquish the lead. Hamilton is in first place of the championship ranking for the first time in the season.
Alfa in the Old Town: It remains the most controversial race in Formula 1. In the Azerbaijani capital of Baku , the fourth World Cup race is held and the Formula 1 offers the autocratic president Ilham Aliyev the opportunity to fascinating images from the medieval Old Town in the world (here Kimi Raikkonen in Alfa Romeo) to send. Sporty again Bottas wins Hamilton - it is the fourth double victory for Mercedes.
Just do not look: the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona is to be the turning point for Ferrari - and is a debacle. At the first race in Europe, the teams are unpacking the first updates and Sebastian Vettel hopes to return to the top. Instead, he pulls himself in a braking maneuver at the start of a so-called brake plates, his team leaves him anyway long outside to screw up the pit stop. Mercedes celebrates the fifth double victory and Vettel knows that it will be nothing with the fifth world title.
"With the spirit of Niki": Six days before the race in Monaco died Formula 1 legend Niki Lauda . For Mercedes it is a special race, Lauda had decisively influenced the victories of the silver arrows of the past years as chairman of the racing team. Hamilton also wins the sixth race of the season, this time ahead of Vettel. "That was the toughest race I've ever had," says Hamilton at the finish. "I fought Niki's mind today, we tried to stay focused and make him proud."
Outraged: The 48th round of the Canadian Grand Prix explains well why Ferrari has no realistic chance of winning the world title. Vettel gets the first pole position of the season. He leads the race for a long time. Hamilton is getting closer and closer. Vettel loses control under pressure, gets off the track and hinder Hamilton on return. Vettel gets compliant a five-second penalty and loses the victory to Hamilton. The rest is anger, incomprehension and overreaction. Vettel even places second in the finish in front of Hamilton's car.
Formula boredom: In the eighth race of the season wins in Le Castellet for the eighth time Mercedes, it is the sixth double victory. Afterwards, the discussion picks up speed as the Formula 1 can be made more exciting again. The result is a new set of rules from the 2021 season, which forces the teams to a budget cover. But it is already clear: The structural advantages of Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull will not change.
Verstappen-Sternstunde: Only a week after the Grand Prix in France, Formula 1 shows a different face - thanks to Max Verstappen . The Red Bull driver repeatedly hints at his great talent, but can not retrieve the constant. At the home race of his racing team, he struggles from seventh to the top, overtaking Vettel, Bottas and Leclerc on the track.
Flying Dutchman: At the British Grand Prix at Silverstone the gap from Vettel to Hamilton is growing to 100 points. The German lands in 15th place because he lies in third place Verstappen drives into the rear, damaged his car and receives a ten-second penalty. "I thought I had a chance on the inside, but then I was too late and could not react in time," says Vettel.
Kubica in luck: Before the season was discussed, whether Robert Kubica due to the lack of strength and flexibility of his right arm is a security risk. The Pole gets the cockpit at Williams because of his sponsorship, athletic, he can not keep up. Kubica loses every qualifying duel against his teammate George Russell and is regularly outclassed in the races. At the Grand Prix of Germany , he benefits from the many failures and gets in tenth the only championship point.
Finally summer break: With this feeling Ferrari goes into the four-week break of Formula 1 in the twelfth race of the season on the Hungaroring wins Lewis Hamilton for the eighth time (photo). The Italian team wants to gather and make better use of the speed advantages in the second part of the season.
Sport in the background: In fact, Ferrari manages the hoped for comeback at the Grand Prix of Belgium in Spa-Francorchamps. But Charles Leclerc's first Formula 1 victory of the career becomes a minor matter. In Formula 2, which is also in Spa, there is a serious accident, the Frenchman Anthoine Hubert succumbs shortly after his injuries. The mother and the brother mourn the following day at a minute's silence (photo) - the Formula 1 continues afterwards anyway.
Home win: One week after winning the Belgian championship, Leclerc wins the Italian Grand Prix again, and the Ferrari community are leaving their emotions. It is too late for the World Cup title, but the Reds believe in themselves again.
Latency finished: Sebastian Vettel enjoys the champagne on the podium in Singapore. It has been over a year since the 32-year-old won a race. Optimists start counting six remaining races to see if Ferrari can attack Mercedes in the championship standings.
The answer: Who has Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes to the opponent, should not be happy too soon. The pole position goes to Leclerc for the fourth time in a row at the Russian Grand Prix . In the race, the Monegasse Vettel gives lee and loses the lead, Vettel does not follow the agreement, Leclerc to pass again. In this skirmish Hamilton retains the rest and wins the race before Bottas and Leclerc.
Beginning of a jubilation marathon: The Japanese Grand Prix is dominated by the typhoon Hagibis, which prevents qualifying on Saturday. Vettel picks up the pole position, but a bad start allows Bottas pass - another Vettel error gives Mercedes the next victory. The Silver Arrows secure themselves prematurely the World Championship of the Designers.
Elevator for the winner: Formula 1 owner Liberty Media has always had to put up with the accusation of putting show effects too much in the foreground instead of promoting real competition via the rules and regulations. The new rules are there now, in 2021 you will know if the plans are working. The show has to continue until then, at the race in Mexico, winner Hamilton is raised with his car by elevator on the podium.
Schumacher in the spotlight: Lewis Hamilton is Formula 1 world champion for the sixth time. Although he misses his 84th career success at the US Grand Prix , the records of Michael Schumacher are palpable: the Formula 1 legend is in seven World Cup titles and 91 Grand Prix victories - in the coming season, Hamilton in 22 Race the chance to set the records or even beat Schumacher.
It followed spectacular races like in Spielberg thanks to surprise winner Max Verstappen or in Hockenheim due to the weather capers, but the impression solidified for years: Formula 1 needs more variety, entertainment and sporting value. The new rules and budget cap from the 2021 season to drive out the boredom, but there are many experts who see the top teams Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull superior even after the changes. And 2020? In the coming season without major rule changes will change anyway. Even if the Big Three mainly work on the development of new cars from 2021.
3. Vettel will not be world champion in 2020
Ferrari had the fastest car in the field this season after years of inferiority. That sounds good, but races are won not only on straights. The Scuderia entered the race six times from pole position throughout the year without winning. Instead, strategy, boxing and communication mistakes lined up. Ferrari was in comparison with Mercedes the much worse team.
Right in the middle of this conflict: Sebastian Vettel. In his fifth year with the Reds he finally wanted to win his fifth overall world title, but the 32-year-old was with several driving errors and the overall rather lost duel with teammate Charles Leclerc a decisive factor for Ferrari's twelfth year in series without driver title. Vettel no longer manages to turn a very good car into a winner. And currently there is no indication that 2020 will change.
Dan Istitene / Getty Images
Max Verstappen (left) is no longer the only young star in Formula 1 after Charles Leclerc's rise
4. Verstappen is threatened by Leclerc
Max Verstappen was considered the future of Formula 1. The Dutchman is fast. He drives instinctively. His overtaking maneuvers are often at the limit. Verstappen, similar to Michael Schumacher in the 90s, recommended his home country to motorsport. Thanks Verstappen the Formula 1 returns to Zandvoort in the coming season. He could become the youngest world champion in history.
But the hype about Verstappen has stalled. He drove in the fifth year in Formula 1 too little constant, too impetuous, also his Red Bull is only able to win on a few circuits. And with Charles Leclerc, there is now a driver who is only a few days younger than Verstappen - and has comparable potential. Leclerc drives more controlled, the Monegasse is in direct duels on the track but as relentless as Verstappen. The duel between these two exceptional talents could shape Formula One for many years to come. The future belongs to two young stars now.
5. Schumacher will not get into Formula 1 until 2021
The answer made nostalgic fans sit up and take notice. "I would take it," said Mick Schumacher weeks ago in the podcast of Formula 2 to the question of whether he would accept or reject a place in Formula 1 next year. The son of Michael Schumacher will land thanks to his last name in any case in Formula 1 - first test drives in Ferrari, there was already in April. But his first year in the junior class has shown that he still needs time. A victory and seven more points in the points in 20 races also make a Schumacher not a Formula 1 driver.