Formula 1 2019 Season Highlights.
The 2019 Formula One World Championship was the 70th edition of the F1 World Championship. The season started on March 17th in Melbourne, Australia and ended on December 1st in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates after 21 races. The 2019 season was one of the most exciting and unpredictable in recent history with seven different winners in the first seven races and many unexpected twists and turns.
The Mercedes team dominated the season, with Lewis Hamilton taking his sixth World Drivers' Championship, breaking the record for the most championships won in a career. Hamilton won 11 races in 2019, which is the most he has won in a single season and the second-most of any driver in a single season. His teammate Valtteri Bottas finished the season in second place, taking four wins, and Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing was third, with three wins.
In terms of constructors, Mercedes was once again the dominant team, winning their sixth consecutive World Constructors' Championship, breaking the record for the most consecutive championships won. Red Bull Racing finished the season in second place, and Ferrari was third.
One of the most memorable moments of the season was Charles Leclerc's first win at the Belgium Grand Prix, in which he overtook Hamilton and Bottas in the final laps of the race to take his first career win. Leclerc had a strong season, taking two wins and seven podium finishes.
Another highlight of the season was the dramatic finish at the Brazilian Grand Prix, where Hamilton and Bottas collided with each other, handing the win to Verstappen. This race was also notable for the fact that it was the last race for Brazilian driver Felipe Massa, who retired from F1 after 15 seasons in the sport.
The 2019 season also saw the introduction of new rules and regulations aimed at improving the competitiveness of the sport. These included changes to the front wing and bargeboard designs, as well as a new minimum weight limit for the cars. The aim of these changes was to create closer racing and make it easier for teams to overtake each other on the track.
In terms of fun facts and stats, the 2019 season saw Hamilton equal the record for the most pole positions in a career, with his 87th pole at the French Grand Prix. He also equalled the record for the most career wins, with his 81st win at the Italian Grand Prix. Hamilton also set a new record for the most laps led in a single season, leading 1,015 laps in 2019.
Another standout statistic from the 2019 season was the number of different drivers who stood on the podium. In total, 14 different drivers took a podium finish in 2019, which is the most since 1983.
The 2019 season was a successful one for the Haas team, with Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen finishing in eighth and ninth place in the drivers' championship respectively. This was the best result in the team's history and a testament to the hard work and competitiveness of the Haas team.
Finally, the 2019 season saw the return of the Zandvoort circuit in the Netherlands, which hosted the Dutch Grand Prix for the first time since 1985. The race was a huge success, with thousands of Dutch fans flocking to the circuit to see Max Verstappen take his first career win on home soil.
In conclusion, the 2019 Formula One World Championship was a highly entertaining and unpredictable season, with many memorable moments and standout performances. The season saw Lewis Hamilton take his sixth World Drivers' Championship and Mercedes continue their dominance of the sport. With the introduction of new rules and the return of the Zandvoort circuit, the 2019 season set the stage for an exciting 2020 season and beyond.