Bye.
Tuesday 24 December 2019
Happy Christmas for 2019
Basically the last post for 2019 as I am taking over a week off with my family and try to enjoy Christmas. All that means is a Happy Christmas/Holidays to you all and see you in 2020.
Bye.
Bye.
Confirmed: Ferrari retains Charles Leclerc till 2024
It was confirmed yesterday (23/12/19) that Ferrari will retain Charles Leclerc through to the end of the 2024 Formula 1 season.
Leclerc joined Ferrari from Sauber for 2019 replacing Kimi Raikkonen, winning back-to-back races in Belgium and Italy and scored seven pole positions, more than any other driver this season.
Leclerc finished fourth in the drivers' standings this season, ahead of his four-time world champion team-mate Sebastian Vettel.
Overall, a very good decision from Ferrari to keep Charles Leclerc for next five seasons. Not the first time Ferrari offered a driver a five-year deal, they gave Michael Schumacher a five-year deal back in 1998, big difference is Leclerc is not paid as much as Schumacher was.
Going into 2020 can Leclerc win the Drivers' Title with Ferrari in the next five seasons? time will tell. It's a very good deal for Ferrari for the next five seasons.
Leclerc joined Ferrari from Sauber for 2019 replacing Kimi Raikkonen, winning back-to-back races in Belgium and Italy and scored seven pole positions, more than any other driver this season.
Leclerc finished fourth in the drivers' standings this season, ahead of his four-time world champion team-mate Sebastian Vettel.
Overall, a very good decision from Ferrari to keep Charles Leclerc for next five seasons. Not the first time Ferrari offered a driver a five-year deal, they gave Michael Schumacher a five-year deal back in 1998, big difference is Leclerc is not paid as much as Schumacher was.
Going into 2020 can Leclerc win the Drivers' Title with Ferrari in the next five seasons? time will tell. It's a very good deal for Ferrari for the next five seasons.
Sunday 22 December 2019
Five predictions from 2019, did I got any of them right?
During my first post of 2019. I did a post on five racing predictions for 2019, and the post was really a fun post on five predictions that may happen in 2019. But the main question is did I got any right? let see:
Number 1, A privater LMP1 team to win this seasons 24 Hours of Le Mans.
No, top privater LMP1 team finished in third place. I got this prediction Wrong.
Number 2, Aston Martin to announce an Engine partnership with Red Bull for 2021 F1 season.
Just like 2018, I got this prediction Wrong.
Number 3, HWA (Mercedes) to win a race in Formula E this season in Season 5 (2018/19).
Third prediction I got Wrong. Highest finish for HWA (Mercedes) that season was a third place finish for Stoffel Vandoorne in Rome.
Number 4, Kimi Räikkönen to finish fifth place in a race this season.
Going into the last two rounds, Räikkönen best result was multiple seventh place finishes, enter the Brazilian Grand Prix and lucky enough Kimi Räikkönen finished in fourth place. Meaning I got this prediction Right.
Number 5, Kawasaki to announce a return to MotoGP for 2021.
Unless something happens in the next nine days. Fourth prediction I got Wrong. Not even close on this close on this one.
So basically I got one out of five predictions right. More fun predictions in 2020.
Number 1, A privater LMP1 team to win this seasons 24 Hours of Le Mans.
No, top privater LMP1 team finished in third place. I got this prediction Wrong.
Number 2, Aston Martin to announce an Engine partnership with Red Bull for 2021 F1 season.
Just like 2018, I got this prediction Wrong.
Number 3, HWA (Mercedes) to win a race in Formula E this season in Season 5 (2018/19).
Third prediction I got Wrong. Highest finish for HWA (Mercedes) that season was a third place finish for Stoffel Vandoorne in Rome.
Number 4, Kimi Räikkönen to finish fifth place in a race this season.
Going into the last two rounds, Räikkönen best result was multiple seventh place finishes, enter the Brazilian Grand Prix and lucky enough Kimi Räikkönen finished in fourth place. Meaning I got this prediction Right.
Number 5, Kawasaki to announce a return to MotoGP for 2021.
Unless something happens in the next nine days. Fourth prediction I got Wrong. Not even close on this close on this one.
So basically I got one out of five predictions right. More fun predictions in 2020.
Wednesday 18 December 2019
2019 WTCR Round 10 Recap - Race of Malaysia, Norbert Michelisz 2019 WTCR Champion!
Review of Round Ten of the 2019 World Touring Car Cup season was the Race of Malaysia, at Sepang International Circuit, on the outside of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for WTCR first ever night race.
In the first race, BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse driver Norbert Michelisz took the race win in his Hyundai i30 N TCR. Second was Comtoyou Team DHL CUPRA Racing driver Aurélien Panis in his Cupra León TCR, he was two and half seconds behind Guerrieri in the end. While third place was Hyundai N Squadra Corse driver and Current WTCR Champion Gabriele Tarquini in his Hyundai i30 N TCR, he was ten seconds behind Michelisz in the end.
Meanwhile in the second race, ALL-INKL.COM Münnich Motorsport driver Esteban Guerrieri took the race win in his Honda Civic Type R TCR (FK8). Second was PWR Racing driver Mikel Azcona in his Cupra León TCR, he was a second behind Guerrieri in the end. While third place was SLR Volkswagen driver Johan Kristoffersson in his Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR, he was thirteen tenths of a second behind Guerrieri in the end.
Finally in the third race, SLR Volkswagen driver Johan Kristoffersson took the race win in his Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR. Second was Team Mulsanne driver Kevin Ceccon in his Alfa Romeo Giulietta Veloce TCR, he was two seconds behind Kristoffersson in the end. While third place was Comtoyou Team Audi Sport driver Frédéric Vervisch in his Audi RS 3 LMS TCR, he was four seconds behind Kristoffersson in the end.
Meanwhile BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse driver Norbert Michelisz finished fourth place in his Hyundai i30 N TCR, he was nine seconds behind Kristoffersson in the end. That was enough for Norbert Michelisz to win the WTCR Drivers' Champion and becoming 2019 WTCR Drivers' Champion to beat Esteban Guerrieri by twenty-three points. Contractions to Norbert Michelisz for winning this years title.
And so this years champions in WTCR, WTCR Drivers' Champion: Norbert Michelisz. And WTCR Teams' Championship: Cyan Racing Lynk & Co.
Contractions to the Champions this season.
In the first race, BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse driver Norbert Michelisz took the race win in his Hyundai i30 N TCR. Second was Comtoyou Team DHL CUPRA Racing driver Aurélien Panis in his Cupra León TCR, he was two and half seconds behind Guerrieri in the end. While third place was Hyundai N Squadra Corse driver and Current WTCR Champion Gabriele Tarquini in his Hyundai i30 N TCR, he was ten seconds behind Michelisz in the end.
Meanwhile in the second race, ALL-INKL.COM Münnich Motorsport driver Esteban Guerrieri took the race win in his Honda Civic Type R TCR (FK8). Second was PWR Racing driver Mikel Azcona in his Cupra León TCR, he was a second behind Guerrieri in the end. While third place was SLR Volkswagen driver Johan Kristoffersson in his Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR, he was thirteen tenths of a second behind Guerrieri in the end.
Finally in the third race, SLR Volkswagen driver Johan Kristoffersson took the race win in his Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR. Second was Team Mulsanne driver Kevin Ceccon in his Alfa Romeo Giulietta Veloce TCR, he was two seconds behind Kristoffersson in the end. While third place was Comtoyou Team Audi Sport driver Frédéric Vervisch in his Audi RS 3 LMS TCR, he was four seconds behind Kristoffersson in the end.
Meanwhile BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse driver Norbert Michelisz finished fourth place in his Hyundai i30 N TCR, he was nine seconds behind Kristoffersson in the end. That was enough for Norbert Michelisz to win the WTCR Drivers' Champion and becoming 2019 WTCR Drivers' Champion to beat Esteban Guerrieri by twenty-three points. Contractions to Norbert Michelisz for winning this years title.
And so this years champions in WTCR, WTCR Drivers' Champion: Norbert Michelisz. And WTCR Teams' Championship: Cyan Racing Lynk & Co.
Contractions to the Champions this season.
Monday 16 December 2019
2019 8 Hours of Bahrain Review
Review of Round Four of the 2019/20 FIA World Endurance Championship was held at Bahrain International Circuit, in Sakhir, Bahrain.
The Toyota Gazoo Racing team won the race overall and the LMP1 class too of Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and José María López in their Toyota TS050 Hybrid; Toyota 2.4 L Turbo V6. While, second place was the other Toyota Gazoo Racing to complete a Toyota one-two finish, with the team of Sébastien Buemi, Kazuki Nakajima and Brendon Hartley in their Toyota TS050 Hybrid, Toyota 2.4 L Turbo V6; they were a lap behind the leaders at the end of the race. While third place was Rebellion Racing team to complete the podium, with the team of Gustavo Menezes, Norman Nato and Bruno Senna in their Rebellion R13, Gibson 4.5 L V8; they were three laps behind the leaders at the end of the race.
In LMP2 class (all cars using the Gibson 4.2 L V8 engine), United Autosports team of Filipe Albuquerque, Philip Hanson and Paul di Resta in their Oreca 07 won LMP2 class. They finish in fourth place overall and they were eight laps behind the leaders at the end of the race.
While in GTE Pro class, was won by Aston Martin Racing team of Alex Lynn and Maxime Martin won in their Aston Martin Vantage AMR. They finish in thirteenth place overall and they were twenty-two laps behind the leaders at the end of the race.
While in GTE Am class, was won by Team Project 1 of Jeroen Bleekemolen, Ben Keating and Larry ten Voorde in their Porsche 911 RSR. They finish in eighteenth place overall and they were twenty-four laps behind the leaders at the end of the race.
Highlights of the 8 Hours of Bahrain below, enjoy.
Next Stop Lone Star Le Mans (Circuit of the Americas) in ten weeks time for Round Five of the FIA World Endurance Championship.
The Toyota Gazoo Racing team won the race overall and the LMP1 class too of Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and José María López in their Toyota TS050 Hybrid; Toyota 2.4 L Turbo V6. While, second place was the other Toyota Gazoo Racing to complete a Toyota one-two finish, with the team of Sébastien Buemi, Kazuki Nakajima and Brendon Hartley in their Toyota TS050 Hybrid, Toyota 2.4 L Turbo V6; they were a lap behind the leaders at the end of the race. While third place was Rebellion Racing team to complete the podium, with the team of Gustavo Menezes, Norman Nato and Bruno Senna in their Rebellion R13, Gibson 4.5 L V8; they were three laps behind the leaders at the end of the race.
In LMP2 class (all cars using the Gibson 4.2 L V8 engine), United Autosports team of Filipe Albuquerque, Philip Hanson and Paul di Resta in their Oreca 07 won LMP2 class. They finish in fourth place overall and they were eight laps behind the leaders at the end of the race.
While in GTE Pro class, was won by Aston Martin Racing team of Alex Lynn and Maxime Martin won in their Aston Martin Vantage AMR. They finish in thirteenth place overall and they were twenty-two laps behind the leaders at the end of the race.
While in GTE Am class, was won by Team Project 1 of Jeroen Bleekemolen, Ben Keating and Larry ten Voorde in their Porsche 911 RSR. They finish in eighteenth place overall and they were twenty-four laps behind the leaders at the end of the race.
Highlights of the 8 Hours of Bahrain below, enjoy.
Next Stop Lone Star Le Mans (Circuit of the Americas) in ten weeks time for Round Five of the FIA World Endurance Championship.
Friday 13 December 2019
Valentino Rossi tests a 2017 Mercedes F1 car while Lewis Hamilton tests a 2019 Yamaha YZR-M1
Seven times MotoGP Champion Valentino Rossi tested a 2017 Mercedes F1 car at Valencia on Wednesday (11/12/2019).
Rossi's outing was in the 2017 F1 W08 EQ Power+ took place at Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia where F1 Teams test and MotoGP race at.
Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton tested 2019 Yamaha YZR-M1 at Valancia as-well.
Rossi's outing was in the 2017 F1 W08 EQ Power+ took place at Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia where F1 Teams test and MotoGP race at.
Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton tested 2019 Yamaha YZR-M1 at Valancia as-well.
Thursday 12 December 2019
2019 Monza Rally Show Review
So last weekend (6-8/12/19) was the annual Monza Rally Show. The final results saw Andrea Crugnola won this years Monza Rally Show in his Volkswagen Polo R WRC. Second was Dani Sordo in his Hyundai i20 WRC, he was eleven seconds behind Crugnola at the end. Meanwhile, Andrea Nucita finished in third place in his Hyundai i20 WRC, he was over a minute behind Crugnola at the end.
Here's a YouTube video of some of the Show's highlights from last week.
Here's a YouTube video of some of the Show's highlights from last week.
Wednesday 11 December 2019
It's Official: Johann Zarco signs for Avintia Racing on a one-year deal
It was confirmed on Monday (9/12/19), Johann Zarco has been confirmed as Reale Avintia Racing second rider for the 2020 MotoGP seasons on a one-year deal.
The former KTM rider will campaigning on a 2019 Desmosedici alongside Esteve Rabat.
Zarco will replace Karel Abraham at the team, who announced his MotoGP retirement two weeks ago, prior to Zarco's announcement.
Zarco finished in eighteenth place in the MotoGP Standings, with a best finish of tenth place back in Barcalona in June.
The former KTM rider will campaigning on a 2019 Desmosedici alongside Esteve Rabat.
Zarco will replace Karel Abraham at the team, who announced his MotoGP retirement two weeks ago, prior to Zarco's announcement.
Zarco finished in eighteenth place in the MotoGP Standings, with a best finish of tenth place back in Barcalona in June.
Tuesday 10 December 2019
Part 2 of Formula 1 2019 Season Review (Top Formula 1 drivers of 2019 and final thoughts of Formula 1 2019)
Second part of my Formula 1 2019 Season Review, this post will includes my top 10 Formula 1 drivers of 2019. And my final thoughts of Formula 1 2019.
Starting of with My Top Formula 1 drivers of 2019, this is the part who was in my top 10 this season, not in championship order, not in championship order, so his list doesn't includes the likes of Daniel Ricciardo, Kimi Raikkonen or Sergio Pérez to name a few, its just only opinion folks.
Anyway, here is my list below.
My Top Formula 1 drivers of 2019:
10. Daniil Kvyat (Toro Rosso) - Returning back to Formula 1 after a season off, fast and reliable, which include a third place finish at a wet to dry Hockenheim.
9. Pierre Gasly (Red Bull/Toro Rosso) - Despite being demoted back to Toro Rosso from Spa onwards could have lost his confidence but scored 32 points in those nine races includes a second place finish at Sao Paulo.
8. Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) - One race win at Singapore in 2019; should have won Montreal.
7. Lando Norris (McLaren) - Consistently fast in his first season, which include two sixth place finishes at Bahrain and at the Red Bull Ring.
6. Alexander Albon (Toro Rosso/Red Bull) - Some impressive performances in his first full season, which include a sixth place finish at a wet to dry Hockenheim; promoted to Red Bull Racing for the second half of the season scored 76 points in those nine races, highest finish of fourth place at Suzuka, should have finish second at Sao Paulo too.
5. Carlos Sainz, Jr. (McLaren) - Some impressive performances this season, which include three fifth place finishes at Hockenheim, Hungaroring and Suzuka; and a third place finish at Sao Paulo.
4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) - Consistently fast in his first season for Ferrari, which include Grand Prixs' he should have won this season but due to unreliable car in Bahrain, underpowered at the Red Bull Ring, team-orders in Singapore, Safety car in Soshi and pit-stop error in Mexico; however won two Grand Prix this season at Spa and Monza.
3. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) - On his day faster driver than his team-mate Hamilton, Four Grand Prix wins at Melbourne, Baku, Suzuka and Austin.
2.Max Verstappen (Red Bull) - Some impressive drives this season, which include three Grand Prix wins at the Red Bull Ring, Hockinheim and Sao Paulo.
1. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) - Best driver on the grid this season, eleven Grand Prix wins, to concluded with his sixth Drivers' World Championship.
Overall, possibly one of the most dominating seasons I have seen in Formula 1 despite it doesn't look like in times, fifteen Grand Prix wins out of twenty-one wins from Mercedes which include nine one-two finishes to conclude winning their fifth F1 Constructors' Championship in a row.
While in the Drivers' Championship it was Lewis Hamilton to win the off winning eleven Grand Prixs', to win this seasons Drivers' Championship for his sixth F1 Drivers' title and becoming only the second driver in Formula 1 history to join Michael Schumacher to win six or more F1 Drivers' Titles to conclude Formula 1 in 2019.
Bring on Formula 1 2020.
Starting of with My Top Formula 1 drivers of 2019, this is the part who was in my top 10 this season, not in championship order, not in championship order, so his list doesn't includes the likes of Daniel Ricciardo, Kimi Raikkonen or Sergio Pérez to name a few, its just only opinion folks.
Anyway, here is my list below.
My Top Formula 1 drivers of 2019:
10. Daniil Kvyat (Toro Rosso) - Returning back to Formula 1 after a season off, fast and reliable, which include a third place finish at a wet to dry Hockenheim.
9. Pierre Gasly (Red Bull/Toro Rosso) - Despite being demoted back to Toro Rosso from Spa onwards could have lost his confidence but scored 32 points in those nine races includes a second place finish at Sao Paulo.
8. Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) - One race win at Singapore in 2019; should have won Montreal.
7. Lando Norris (McLaren) - Consistently fast in his first season, which include two sixth place finishes at Bahrain and at the Red Bull Ring.
6. Alexander Albon (Toro Rosso/Red Bull) - Some impressive performances in his first full season, which include a sixth place finish at a wet to dry Hockenheim; promoted to Red Bull Racing for the second half of the season scored 76 points in those nine races, highest finish of fourth place at Suzuka, should have finish second at Sao Paulo too.
5. Carlos Sainz, Jr. (McLaren) - Some impressive performances this season, which include three fifth place finishes at Hockenheim, Hungaroring and Suzuka; and a third place finish at Sao Paulo.
4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) - Consistently fast in his first season for Ferrari, which include Grand Prixs' he should have won this season but due to unreliable car in Bahrain, underpowered at the Red Bull Ring, team-orders in Singapore, Safety car in Soshi and pit-stop error in Mexico; however won two Grand Prix this season at Spa and Monza.
3. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) - On his day faster driver than his team-mate Hamilton, Four Grand Prix wins at Melbourne, Baku, Suzuka and Austin.
2.Max Verstappen (Red Bull) - Some impressive drives this season, which include three Grand Prix wins at the Red Bull Ring, Hockinheim and Sao Paulo.
1. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) - Best driver on the grid this season, eleven Grand Prix wins, to concluded with his sixth Drivers' World Championship.
Overall, possibly one of the most dominating seasons I have seen in Formula 1 despite it doesn't look like in times, fifteen Grand Prix wins out of twenty-one wins from Mercedes which include nine one-two finishes to conclude winning their fifth F1 Constructors' Championship in a row.
While in the Drivers' Championship it was Lewis Hamilton to win the off winning eleven Grand Prixs', to win this seasons Drivers' Championship for his sixth F1 Drivers' title and becoming only the second driver in Formula 1 history to join Michael Schumacher to win six or more F1 Drivers' Titles to conclude Formula 1 in 2019.
Bring on Formula 1 2020.
Monday 9 December 2019
Part 1 of Formula 1 2019 Season Review (the teams)
Two parter Formula One season review of the 2019 season. In this post I will review each team of 2019. Which, I will say one sentence that will be positive with each team. And one sentence that will be negative for each team. So starting with Mercedes below.
Mercedes:
+ As you were from 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018; Best car and driver on the grid with the W10 EQ Power+, Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas, with 10 poles, 15 race wins, a Constructors' Title and a Drivers' Title with Lewis Hamilton.
- Poor race at Mercedes home Grand Prix at Hockenheim, Hamilton spun out of the lead to finish ninth and Bottas crashed out; apart from that another great season from Mercedes.
Ferrari
+ Some great race performances from both Charles Leclerc, which includes two wins at Spa and Monza, and Sebastian Vettel wining a race at Singapore.
- SF90 has not been fast enough then the Mercedes nor the Red Bull in race pace this season, also poor pace and reliabilities problems has cost race wins for Sebastian Vettel at Montreal and for Leclerc at Bahrain, the Red Bull Ring, Singapore and Mexico City.
Red Bull:
+ Impressive performance from Max Verstappen includes race wins for Verstappen at Red Bull Ring, Hockinheim and Sao Paulo giving Honda their first win as an engine partner since 2006.
- Replacing Pierre Gasly for Alexander Albon midway through the sesaaon, Albon was much improve than Gasly, Albon going into next season needs to reduce the gap between himself and team-mate Verstappen giving Red Bull a better shot of wining both titles next season.
McLaren:
+ Some great race performances from Carlos Sainz Jr. and Lando Norris, which includes third place finish for Sainz Jr. at Sao Paulo; only 62 points at this stage last season, 145 points this season at this stage a much better improvement from McLaren; going into 2021 Mercedes power once again.
- Despite McLaren finished fourth in the Constructor's standings this season and best of the rest, there are still long way behind the likes of Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull.
Renault:
+ Fourth place finish for Daniel Ricciardo at Monza.
- Where to start, fifth place in the Constructor's standings; 122 points at this stage last season, 91 points this season shows the team has gone backwards, the Renault Power-Units are still around 50-60bhp less than the Mercedes Power-Units; R.S.19 has been too slow in races if not to too unreliable with eight DNF's and double DSQ at Suzuka; they must need to do better going into next season.
Scuderia Toro Rosso:
+ Some impressive performances from Daniil Kvyat, Alexander Albon and Pierre Gasly this season which include a second place for Gasly at Sao Paulo, a third place finish for Kvyat and a sixth place finish for Albon at Hockinheim; credit for Perre Gasly who was demoted back to Toro Rosso from Spa onwards could have lost his confidence but scored 32 points in 9 races; team finished sixth in the Constructor's standings with 85 points.
- Honda power-unit are still round 45-50bhp behind of the likes of Mercedes Power-Units; missed out on fifth in the Constructor's by 6 six points, apart from that a very good season from Toro Rosso possibly one of there best since Red Bull bought the team in 2005.
Racing Point:
+ Fourth place finish for Lance Stroll at Hockinheim and some impressive performances from Sergio Pérez this season with sixth place finishes at Baku and Spa.
- Still recovering from being put into administration last year resulting finishing seventh in the Constructors' Standings; despite finishing fourth at Hockinheim Stroll only scored 21 points compare to Pérez's tally of 52 points, results needs to be better going into 2020.
Alfa Romeo:
+ Some impressive performances from Kimi Räikkönen this season which include a fourth place finishes at Sao Paulo at the age of 40.
- Antonio Giovinazzi only scoring 14 point compare to Räikkönen's tally of 43 points this season meaning the team finished in eighth in the Constructor's standings once again, despite some great results Räikkönen pace has gone downhill in the second half of the season hopefully it doesn't continue into 2020 F1 season.
Haas:
+ Sixth place finish for Kevin Magnussen at Melbourne.
- Like Renault where to start, currently the the team finished ninth place in the Constructor's standings; 93 points at this stage last season, 28 points this season shows the team has gone backwards, VF-19 has been too slow in races if not to too unreliable with ten DNF's, main sponsor terminating their deal after Monza thankfully; the team need to do better going into the 2020 season.
Williams:
+ Robert Kubica finishing tenth place at Hockinheim is the teams only highlight this season.
- The FW42 been too slow and underdeveloped this season, concluded with tenth in the Constructors' with only one point, George Russell has not scored points despite being the fastest driver of the two; overall another disastrous season from Williams, nothing positive to say from the team this season once again.
In part 2 of Formula 1 2019 Season Review my top 10 Formula 1 drivers of 2019. And my final thoughts of Formula 1 2019.
Mercedes:
+ As you were from 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018; Best car and driver on the grid with the W10 EQ Power+, Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas, with 10 poles, 15 race wins, a Constructors' Title and a Drivers' Title with Lewis Hamilton.
- Poor race at Mercedes home Grand Prix at Hockenheim, Hamilton spun out of the lead to finish ninth and Bottas crashed out; apart from that another great season from Mercedes.
Ferrari
+ Some great race performances from both Charles Leclerc, which includes two wins at Spa and Monza, and Sebastian Vettel wining a race at Singapore.
- SF90 has not been fast enough then the Mercedes nor the Red Bull in race pace this season, also poor pace and reliabilities problems has cost race wins for Sebastian Vettel at Montreal and for Leclerc at Bahrain, the Red Bull Ring, Singapore and Mexico City.
Red Bull:
+ Impressive performance from Max Verstappen includes race wins for Verstappen at Red Bull Ring, Hockinheim and Sao Paulo giving Honda their first win as an engine partner since 2006.
- Replacing Pierre Gasly for Alexander Albon midway through the sesaaon, Albon was much improve than Gasly, Albon going into next season needs to reduce the gap between himself and team-mate Verstappen giving Red Bull a better shot of wining both titles next season.
McLaren:
+ Some great race performances from Carlos Sainz Jr. and Lando Norris, which includes third place finish for Sainz Jr. at Sao Paulo; only 62 points at this stage last season, 145 points this season at this stage a much better improvement from McLaren; going into 2021 Mercedes power once again.
- Despite McLaren finished fourth in the Constructor's standings this season and best of the rest, there are still long way behind the likes of Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull.
Renault:
+ Fourth place finish for Daniel Ricciardo at Monza.
- Where to start, fifth place in the Constructor's standings; 122 points at this stage last season, 91 points this season shows the team has gone backwards, the Renault Power-Units are still around 50-60bhp less than the Mercedes Power-Units; R.S.19 has been too slow in races if not to too unreliable with eight DNF's and double DSQ at Suzuka; they must need to do better going into next season.
Scuderia Toro Rosso:
+ Some impressive performances from Daniil Kvyat, Alexander Albon and Pierre Gasly this season which include a second place for Gasly at Sao Paulo, a third place finish for Kvyat and a sixth place finish for Albon at Hockinheim; credit for Perre Gasly who was demoted back to Toro Rosso from Spa onwards could have lost his confidence but scored 32 points in 9 races; team finished sixth in the Constructor's standings with 85 points.
- Honda power-unit are still round 45-50bhp behind of the likes of Mercedes Power-Units; missed out on fifth in the Constructor's by 6 six points, apart from that a very good season from Toro Rosso possibly one of there best since Red Bull bought the team in 2005.
Racing Point:
+ Fourth place finish for Lance Stroll at Hockinheim and some impressive performances from Sergio Pérez this season with sixth place finishes at Baku and Spa.
- Still recovering from being put into administration last year resulting finishing seventh in the Constructors' Standings; despite finishing fourth at Hockinheim Stroll only scored 21 points compare to Pérez's tally of 52 points, results needs to be better going into 2020.
Alfa Romeo:
+ Some impressive performances from Kimi Räikkönen this season which include a fourth place finishes at Sao Paulo at the age of 40.
- Antonio Giovinazzi only scoring 14 point compare to Räikkönen's tally of 43 points this season meaning the team finished in eighth in the Constructor's standings once again, despite some great results Räikkönen pace has gone downhill in the second half of the season hopefully it doesn't continue into 2020 F1 season.
Haas:
+ Sixth place finish for Kevin Magnussen at Melbourne.
- Like Renault where to start, currently the the team finished ninth place in the Constructor's standings; 93 points at this stage last season, 28 points this season shows the team has gone backwards, VF-19 has been too slow in races if not to too unreliable with ten DNF's, main sponsor terminating their deal after Monza thankfully; the team need to do better going into the 2020 season.
Williams:
+ Robert Kubica finishing tenth place at Hockinheim is the teams only highlight this season.
- The FW42 been too slow and underdeveloped this season, concluded with tenth in the Constructors' with only one point, George Russell has not scored points despite being the fastest driver of the two; overall another disastrous season from Williams, nothing positive to say from the team this season once again.
In part 2 of Formula 1 2019 Season Review my top 10 Formula 1 drivers of 2019. And my final thoughts of Formula 1 2019.
Monday 2 December 2019
2019 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Review
Review of the twenty-first and final round of the 2019 F1 season at Yas Marina Circuit on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
It was a dominating race weekend from Current Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton was on pole for Sunday's race. In the day to night Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Hamilton took the advantage at the start and comfortably lead the race throughout, leading all the fifty-five laps and took the fastest lap to win this seasons Abu Dhabi Grand Prix for Lewis Hamilton's eleventh race win of the season.
While, Max Verstappen finished in second place in the Red Bull, Verstappen was seventeen seconds behind Hamilton at the end.
Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc finished in third place in the Ferrari to complete the podium, Leclerc was forty-three seconds behind Hamilton at the end of the fifty-five lap race.
Highlights of the race below, enjoy.
Rate the Teams and Drivers
Mercedes - 10
Lewis Hamilton - 10 (pole, race win, fastest lap)
Valtteri Bottas - 10 (finished fourth)
Ferrari - 7
Sebastian Vettel - 7 (finished fifth)
Charles Leclerc - 8 (finished third)
Red Bull Racing - 8
Max Verstappen - 9 (finished second)
Alexander Albon - 7 (finished sixth)
Renault - 5
Daniel Ricciardo - 5 (finished eleventh, lap down)
Nico Hülkenberg - 5 (finished twelfth, lap down)
Haas - 5
Romain Grosjean - 5 (finished fourteenth, lap down)
Kevin Magnussen - 5 (finished fifteenth, lap down)
McLaren - 7
Carlos Sainz Jr. - 6 (finished tenth, lap down)
Lando Norris - 8 (finished eighth, lap down)
Racing Point - 7
Sergio Pérez- 9 (finished seventh, lap down)
Lance Stroll - 5 (DNF, Brakes)
Alfa Romeo - 5
Kimi Räikkönen - 5 (finished thirteenth, lap down)
Antonio Giovinazzi - 5 (finished sixteenth, lap down)
Toro Rosso - 6
Daniil Kvyat - 8 (finished ninth, lap down)
Pierre Gasly - 5 (finished eighteenth, two laps down)
Williams - 4
George Russell - 5 (finished seventeenth, lap down)
Robert Kubica - 4 (finished nineteenth, two laps down)
Now bring on 2020, for another season of Formula 1. Only three months to go.
It was a dominating race weekend from Current Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton was on pole for Sunday's race. In the day to night Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Hamilton took the advantage at the start and comfortably lead the race throughout, leading all the fifty-five laps and took the fastest lap to win this seasons Abu Dhabi Grand Prix for Lewis Hamilton's eleventh race win of the season.
While, Max Verstappen finished in second place in the Red Bull, Verstappen was seventeen seconds behind Hamilton at the end.
Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc finished in third place in the Ferrari to complete the podium, Leclerc was forty-three seconds behind Hamilton at the end of the fifty-five lap race.
Highlights of the race below, enjoy.
Rate the Teams and Drivers
Mercedes - 10
Lewis Hamilton - 10 (pole, race win, fastest lap)
Valtteri Bottas - 10 (finished fourth)
Ferrari - 7
Sebastian Vettel - 7 (finished fifth)
Charles Leclerc - 8 (finished third)
Red Bull Racing - 8
Max Verstappen - 9 (finished second)
Alexander Albon - 7 (finished sixth)
Renault - 5
Daniel Ricciardo - 5 (finished eleventh, lap down)
Nico Hülkenberg - 5 (finished twelfth, lap down)
Haas - 5
Romain Grosjean - 5 (finished fourteenth, lap down)
Kevin Magnussen - 5 (finished fifteenth, lap down)
McLaren - 7
Carlos Sainz Jr. - 6 (finished tenth, lap down)
Lando Norris - 8 (finished eighth, lap down)
Racing Point - 7
Sergio Pérez- 9 (finished seventh, lap down)
Lance Stroll - 5 (DNF, Brakes)
Alfa Romeo - 5
Kimi Räikkönen - 5 (finished thirteenth, lap down)
Antonio Giovinazzi - 5 (finished sixteenth, lap down)
Toro Rosso - 6
Daniil Kvyat - 8 (finished ninth, lap down)
Pierre Gasly - 5 (finished eighteenth, two laps down)
Williams - 4
George Russell - 5 (finished seventeenth, lap down)
Robert Kubica - 4 (finished nineteenth, two laps down)
Now bring on 2020, for another season of Formula 1. Only three months to go.
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