Complete calendar with 21 races
The 2019 Formula 1 season saw Lewis Hamilton secure his sixth World Championship, joining Michael Schumacher as one of only two drivers to achieve this milestone. The British driver dominated proceedings with 11 victories and clinical consistency, finishing 87 points ahead of teammate Valtteri Bottas as Mercedes captured their sixth consecutive Constructors' title to equal Ferrari's record from 1999-2004. The season marked the final year before F1's planned 2021 regulation overhaul, with established hierarchies firmly entrenched and Mercedes' dominance reaching unprecedented heights.
Mercedes' technical and operational supremacy achieved new levels in 2019, as the Silver Arrows won 15 of the 21 races and secured both championships by the season's 18th round at the United States Grand Prix. The W10 EQ Power+ represented the pinnacle of Mercedes' hybrid-era development, combining exceptional power unit efficiency with outstanding aerodynamic performance. The team's winning streak to open the season - eight consecutive one-two finishes - established a new F1 record and effectively ended any championship suspense before the European season began. Their dominance was so complete that only Ferrari and Red Bull-Honda managed to interrupt their victory procession.
Lewis Hamilton's championship campaign was characterized by relentless consistency and strategic brilliance, as he claimed victories across diverse challenges from Monaco's street circuit to Spa's high-speed layout. His title-clinching second-place finish at the Circuit of the Americas saw him join Schumacher in the exclusive six-time champions club, a feat many considered impossible just a decade earlier. Hamilton's performances included masterful wet-weather drives in Germany and Hungary, along with commanding victories in Britain and Singapore that showcased his versatility. The 34-year-old's sustained excellence across multiple regulation eras cemented his claim as one of F1's greatest-ever drivers.
Valtteri Bottas delivered his strongest season in Mercedes colors, winning four races including the season opener in Australia and claiming pole position an impressive nine times. The Finnish driver led the championship in the early stages and pushed Hamilton harder than in previous years, but ultimately couldn't maintain his challenge through the season's second half. Bottas' victories in Australia, Azerbaijan, Japan, and the United States demonstrated his speed, yet crucial errors in Baku qualifying and reliability issues at other circuits prevented him from mounting a sustained title challenge. His 87-point deficit to Hamilton, while closer than previous seasons, still highlighted the gap between the two Mercedes drivers.
Ferrari's season was defined by frustration and controversy despite showing strong qualifying pace. Charles Leclerc emerged as the Scuderia's leading light in his first season with the team, claiming seven pole positions and two victories in Belgium and Italy that sent the Tifosi into raptures. However, Ferrari's championship challenge never materialized due to strategic errors, reliability issues, and technical directives from the FIA regarding their power unit that appeared to impact their performance. Sebastian Vettel won in Singapore but struggled with form and team dynamics, particularly as Leclerc established himself as Ferrari's future. The SF90's straightline speed advantage raised questions about legality, leading to an FIA technical directive that coincided with a notable performance drop-off.
Red Bull Racing's partnership with Honda showed significant progress, as Max Verstappen claimed three victories in Austria, Germany, and Brazil, finishing third in the championship. The young Dutchman's performances highlighted his exceptional talent, particularly his brilliant recovery drive in Germany where he fought from last to first in treacherous conditions. Honda's power unit development brought Red Bull closer to Mercedes and Ferrari, providing hope for future competitiveness. Pierre Gasly's struggles in the senior team led to his mid-season demotion back to Toro Rosso, with Alexander Albon promoted to partner Verstappen and showing promise despite limited preparation.
The midfield battle provided the season's most engaging competition, with McLaren's resurgence under new leadership seeing them secure fourth in the Constructors' Championship. Powered by Renault engines, McLaren demonstrated consistent point-scoring through Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris, marking their best season since 2012. Renault finished fifth despite struggling to match their customer team, while Racing Point, Alfa Romeo, and Haas battled for the remaining positions. Williams endured a catastrophic season, scoring just a single point through Robert Kubica's 10th place in Germany, finishing last in the standings by a massive margin.
Several significant developments shaped the sport's landscape beyond the championship battle. Sebastian Vettel's future at Ferrari grew uncertain amid his struggles, while contract negotiations between Hamilton and Mercedes attracted intense speculation. The announcement of new technical regulations for 2021 (later delayed to 2022 due to COVID-19) promised to reshape F1's competitive order, with cost caps and revised aerodynamic rules designed to improve racing and competitive balance. George Russell's impressive performances for Williams earned him recognition as a future star, while rookie drivers like Norris and Albon showed promising potential.
The 2019 season concluded at Abu Dhabi with Hamilton and Mercedes celebrating their historic achievements, having established a period of dominance unparalleled in the modern era. Their six consecutive championship doubles represented the longest winning streak in F1 history, surpassing Ferrari's achievements from 1999-2004. While the lack of genuine title competition drew criticism from fans seeking closer racing, there was no denying the technical excellence and professional execution that had elevated Mercedes to legendary status. The promise of regulation changes for 2021 offered hope that the competitive balance might shift, potentially ending Mercedes' supremacy and ushering in a new era of unpredictability.