What Is 2019 Formula 1 World Championship

Overview

The 2019 Formula 1 World Championship was the 70th season of the FIA Formula 1 World Championship, running from March 17 to December 1, 2019. Lewis Hamilton claimed his sixth drivers' title, finishing with 413 points, while Mercedes won the constructors' championship with a record 739 points.

The season featured 21 Grand Prix races across five continents, showcasing fierce competition between Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull. Despite Ferrari's strong early pace, reliability and strategy issues cost them the title, leaving Mercedes dominant throughout the season.

• Lewis Hamilton won 11 races in 2019, including key victories in Germany and Hungary, where he overcame mid-season challenges.
• Valtteri Bottas secured 8 pole positions and won four Grands Prix, including the season opener in Australia and the Russian GP.
• Mercedes AMG F1 Team scored points in all 21 races, a testament to their consistency and technical superiority.
• Charles Leclerc, in his debut season with Ferrari, won two races—Belgium and Italy—and became the youngest pole-sitter at Spa.
• Max Verstappen won two races with Red Bull, including a dramatic wet-weather victory at the German Grand Prix.

How It Works

The Formula 1 World Championship operates on a points system across a season of races, with drivers and constructors earning points based on finishing positions.

• Points System: Drivers earn 25 points for first place, decreasing down to 1 point for 10th; sprint races did not yet exist in 2019.
• Championship Format: The title is awarded after 21 races, with the highest cumulative points winning the drivers’ and constructors’ championships.
• Constructor Points: Each team accumulates points from both cars, making consistency critical—Mercedes scored in every race.
• Qualifying: Drivers compete in three sessions (Q1, Q2, Q3) to determine grid positions, with the fastest time securing pole.
• Driver Contracts: Hamilton extended with Mercedes through 2020, reinforcing team stability and long-term strategy.
• Technical Regulations: The 2019 season followed 2017 aerodynamic rules, emphasizing downforce and high-speed cornering performance.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the top teams and drivers compared in the 2019 season:

This table highlights Mercedes’ dominance, with nearly double the points of second-place Ferrari (504). Hamilton and Bottas combined for 15 wins, while Ferrari’s internal rivalry between Leclerc and Vettel hampered their consistency. The data underscores how team cohesion and reliability proved decisive over raw speed.

Why It Matters

The 2019 season was pivotal in shaping modern Formula 1, influencing team dynamics, driver legacies, and technical development paths. It emphasized the importance of teamwork, strategic decision-making, and long-term planning in motorsport.

• Lewis Hamilton’s legacy grew substantially, moving within one title of Michael Schumacher’s record of seven championships.
• Mercedes’ dominance highlighted the value of engine efficiency and aerodynamic refinement in the hybrid era.
• Ferrari’s missed opportunity led to internal restructuring, including changes in race strategy leadership.
• Young driver emergence was evident with Leclerc and Verstappen challenging established champions, signaling a generational shift.
• Global viewership reached over 1.5 billion cumulative viewers, boosting F1’s commercial appeal and digital engagement.
• Regulatory influence from 2019 shaped 2021 rule changes aimed at improving competition and reducing costs.

The 2019 Formula 1 season not only delivered thrilling races but also set the stage for future developments in team strategy, driver development, and technical innovation across the sport.