FORMULA 1: 2019 SEASON GUIDE

Here we are, almost there. The pinnacle of motorsport on four wheels is about to begin. And with the Formula 1 season fast approaching, it’s time to reveal the cards.

While we wait to see if certain expectations will be met, here are the 10 most interesting points for what promises to be one of the most thrilling seasons in the history of Formula 1:

1. Ferrari vs Mercedes: It picks up where we left off in 2018. Mercedes has confirmed that it has been working on the design of this car since 2017. The goal? To equal Ferrari’s streak of successes from 2000-2004. Ferrari, on the other hand, begins with several uncertainties. After the death of Marchionne, the team lost the cohesion that had brought it back to the top. The winter departure of Arrivabene only cast more shadows on Ferrari’s operations, with even more pressure on Mattia Binotto, appointed as the new team principal. There were rumors of Stefano Domenicali’s return, a familiar face at Maranello, but there are no updates yet. On the driver side, Ferrari has chosen to go all-in with the Vettel-Leclerc pairing, potentially the best duo in the entire paddock. The Prancing Horse vs the Silver Arrows—who will come out on top?
2. Red Bull Honda: What can we expect from the new partnership between the Japanese giant and Dietrich Mateschitz’s team? The chassis has never been the issue for the Austrians; it’s the Renault engine that has undermined title hopes for the past three years. On paper, however, the Japanese power unit still doesn’t seem to be at the level of its competitors, both in terms of performance and reliability. The feeling is that this season will not see them fighting for the championship, but never say never. After all, who’s in charge…
3. Verstappen: He said it himself: he can no longer be considered a young talent. From now on, he must aim for the big prize. With innate talent and experience gained over the years, Max is ready to win and get as many podiums as possible, with a glimmer of hope for the ultimate dream.
4. Alfa Romeo: The real question is: will the investments pay off? With new sponsorships and funds provided by the Milanese brand, the budget is around €250 million, a sum that demonstrates Italy’s ambitions for more than just mid-table positions. And with a driver like Kimi Raikkonen offering valuable insights, why not aim for fourth place?
5. McLaren and Williams: After a disastrous 2018, the worst in history for both storied British teams, 2019 must be the year of redemption. McLaren will lose Fernando Alonso, who is chasing glory for the Triple Crown, and for the comeback, they’ve entrusted the Spanish driver’s protégé, Carlos Sainz, and newcomer Lando Norris. Williams, on the other hand, has strengthened its partnership with Mercedes to get out of this tough situation, bringing in one of their best talents, George Russell, the reigning Formula 2 champion.
6. Kubica: One of the most inspiring stories in motorsport in recent years. A true testament to the power of determination. After a career-threatening accident, no one expected to see him back on the F1 grid as a full-time driver. Yet, at 34, here he is, ready to start again. All fans will certainly be cheering for him.
7. Renault: The French constructor has shown it wants to make the necessary leap in quality to compete with Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull. It can no longer be satisfied or hide. The arrival of former FIA technical director Marcin Budkowski, an engineer who knows the secrets of all teams, and Daniel Ricciardo, considered one of the best drivers in the circus, are crucial pieces for increasing the team’s competitiveness.
8. Vettel-Hamilton…: The showdown everyone is waiting for. In 2018, despite numerous mistakes from the German champion, Hamilton simply proved to be superior. In crucial moments, he maximized his results, and whenever the car allowed it, he left only crumbs for his competitors. This season, Vettel must silence the critics and win that world title that has eluded him since 2013; otherwise, the relationship between the Italian team and the four-time world champion could come to an end. That would be the fifth, just like his race number…
9. …or Leclerc-Hamilton: A provocation? Yes, but not entirely. Everyone is expecting a lot from Ferrari’s golden boy, some even predicting a fight with Lewis Hamilton for the world title. His results in Sauber speak for themselves. He is part of the Next Generation of Formula 1, along with Verstappen, and they are the top representatives of this era. Pressure will certainly increase exponentially; the apprenticeship period is over. Ferrari has called.
10. Italy: Finally, we’ll have some Italian representation among the drivers this year. It’s been since 2011 with Trulli that our country hasn’t been represented for an entire season. After a year spent as a reserve driver at Haas and Sauber, the Italian driver now has the chance to prove his worth.

So, it seems like there’s no shortage of excitement for this season. And what about you? What do you expect from this year?

Credits to Sergio Brigo.