The Formula One line up has seen a great deal of upheaval take place. The dust has settled after many drivers for Formula One switched teams, retired, or were dropped. Who is where and which drivers will be the ones to watch in 2019? Here is a list of where the Formula One drivers are currently placed.
Mercedes
After much speculation, Mercedes’ championship winning driver and Formula One superstar has committed to a future with the team. Lewis Hamilton is contracted with Mercedes until 2020, and will, once again, be the man to beat. Valtteri Bottas, known to be the wingman of choice for Hamilton, will be around for at least another year, as his contract runs until the end of 2019. No conversation of Formula One drivers would be complete without mention of the famous Hamilton.
Ferrari
Ferrari is bringing back their star driver Sebastian Vettel, who is under contract until 2020. The team raised eyebrows when they bucked tradition and chose an inexperienced rookie to partner with Vettel. Charles Leclerc has one year to prove he can compete at this level and become one of the best drivers for Formula One.
Red Bull
Daniel Ricciardo is out and Max Verstappen is in at Red Bull. Verstappen has a two-year deal that ends in 2020. Pierre Gasly has been promoted to the number two spot on the team. The dynamic between these two Formula One drivers will be one that fans will be watching for in 2019.
Renault
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was the final race for the Red Bull-Renault partnership, which lasted from 2007-2018. Renault has secured Daniel Ricciardo, who is contracted to 2020, as well as Nico Hulkenberg. Renault is eager to prove that they can compete at this level, and it will be exciting to see what these drivers for Formula One can do for the team.
Haas
The American team made no changes, opting for stability on their team. Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen’s consistent performances have kept them in Haas’ favor. Grosjean is contracted through 2019, while Magnussen has earned a two-year contract. Watch these American Formula One drivers in 2019 to see how they stack up against the competition.
Force India
Sergio Perez has been confirmed for Force India through 2019. It has been announced that Lance Stroll will be leaving Williams to make the switch to Force India, but details have not been confirmed as of yet.
McLaren
The McLaren driving team has a completely new lineup for 2019, with the overhaul forced by Fernando Alonso’s announced sabbatical. Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris both are contracted through 2019. Norris is young but highly rated, making him one of the drivers for Formula One to watch.
Toro Rosso
Danlil Kvyat returns for a third stint on Red Bull’s junior team. After a brief search, Alexander Albon secured the second seat on the team.
Sauber
Kimi Raikkonen brings much-needed experience for Formula One drivers to the Sauber team. Antonio Giovinazzi, a young Italian driver, has generated a fair amount of buzz, and the team hopes he will help them build on an impressive season.
Williams
George Russell is the reigning Formula 2 champion and newly drafted to the F1 grid. He has had an exciting career thus far, and it will be fun to see how he does at this level of racing. Russell is partnered with Robert Kubica, one of the greatest comebacks in racing history. Kubica sustained life-altering injuries in a 2011 crash and has worked his way back from that setback. No matter which team is your favorite, it is hard not to root for a feel-good story like Kubica’s.
That concludes our preview of the Formula One drivers for 2019. We have taken a look at what the future might bring to this enduring sport, now let’s take a look at history. We looked back over the years to compile a list of the most famous F1 drivers of all time. So, which one of these drivers for Formula One is your racing hero?
