• George Russell (Williams). The 2018 GP2 champion is in F1. That is the good news for the Brit. The bad news is he is in the worst car on the grid. Must, at a minimum, be getting the better of Kubica if he is to establish himself in F1. Reuters
    George Russell (Williams). The 2018 GP2 champion is in F1. That is the good news for the Brit. The bad news is he is in the worst car on the grid. Must, at a minimum, be getting the better of Kubica if he is to establish himself in F1. Reuters
  • Robert Kubica (Williams). Australia will be the Pole's first appearance on a F1 grid since Abu Dhabi 2010. It is amazing he is back after suffering such severe injuries in a rally crash in 2011, but it looks like he will be racing at the back of the field if the team's poor testing form is anything to go by. Reuters
    Robert Kubica (Williams). Australia will be the Pole's first appearance on a F1 grid since Abu Dhabi 2010. It is amazing he is back after suffering such severe injuries in a rally crash in 2011, but it looks like he will be racing at the back of the field if the team's poor testing form is anything to go by. Reuters
  • Antonio Giovinazzi (Alfa Romeo). The Italian gets his chance in F1 after two previous drives in 2017 for the team when they were known as Sauber. Must match Raikkonen if he is to make an impact in the series. Reuters
    Antonio Giovinazzi (Alfa Romeo). The Italian gets his chance in F1 after two previous drives in 2017 for the team when they were known as Sauber. Must match Raikkonen if he is to make an impact in the series. Reuters
  • Kimi Raikkonen (Alfa Romeo). The 2007 world champion is back in the midfield after being dropped by Ferrari. Showed by winning the US Grand Prix in October he still has the speed to be a factor and the Finn should be a frequent points scorer. Reuters
    Kimi Raikkonen (Alfa Romeo). The 2007 world champion is back in the midfield after being dropped by Ferrari. Showed by winning the US Grand Prix in October he still has the speed to be a factor and the Finn should be a frequent points scorer. Reuters
  • Alexander Albon (Toro Rosso). Tough one this for the Thai. Had minimal time in a F1 car so far and this is going to be a case of surviving the opening few races and getting better as the season goes on. Getty
    Alexander Albon (Toro Rosso). Tough one this for the Thai. Had minimal time in a F1 car so far and this is going to be a case of surviving the opening few races and getting better as the season goes on. Getty
  • Daniil Kvyat (Toro Rosso). Not many drivers get one chance in F1, let alone three. But this is Kvyat’s third time of it in the series. With a bit more experience under his belt can hopefully become the seasoned racer that Red Bull clearly think he is capable of becoming. Getty
    Daniil Kvyat (Toro Rosso). Not many drivers get one chance in F1, let alone three. But this is Kvyat’s third time of it in the series. With a bit more experience under his belt can hopefully become the seasoned racer that Red Bull clearly think he is capable of becoming. Getty
  • Lando Norris (McLaren). The first British rookie driver at McLaren since Hamilton. Following in his footsteps will be a challenge and scoring some points in his debut year, and occasionally beating Sainz, will be the simple aim here. EPA
    Lando Norris (McLaren). The first British rookie driver at McLaren since Hamilton. Following in his footsteps will be a challenge and scoring some points in his debut year, and occasionally beating Sainz, will be the simple aim here. EPA
  • Carlos Sainz (McLaren). The Spaniard has a tough task here. Leading a team he has just joined, who are not what they once were, while trying to keep a promising rookie behind him. With a bit more consistency he can more then fulfil his end of the bargain for his new employers. Getty
    Carlos Sainz (McLaren). The Spaniard has a tough task here. Leading a team he has just joined, who are not what they once were, while trying to keep a promising rookie behind him. With a bit more consistency he can more then fulfil his end of the bargain for his new employers. Getty
  • Lance Stroll (Racing Point). Given how ordinary he looked at Williams the Canadian is very lucky to be here. Will be no hiding places now if he cannot consistently challenge for top-10 finishes with his new employers. EPA
    Lance Stroll (Racing Point). Given how ordinary he looked at Williams the Canadian is very lucky to be here. Will be no hiding places now if he cannot consistently challenge for top-10 finishes with his new employers. EPA
  • Sergio Perez (Racing Point). For the first time in his career the Mexican is the clear team leader and the man his team will expect to be the driving force. If the car is as good as under its Force India guise then plenty of points should come his way. Getty
    Sergio Perez (Racing Point). For the first time in his career the Mexican is the clear team leader and the man his team will expect to be the driving force. If the car is as good as under its Force India guise then plenty of points should come his way. Getty
  • Romain Grosjean (Haas). Capable of great drives but also awful mistakes. A real enigma. His chances of ever getting in a race-winning car have receded but he is still capable of big points performances with Haas if he can bring it together. Getty
    Romain Grosjean (Haas). Capable of great drives but also awful mistakes. A real enigma. His chances of ever getting in a race-winning car have receded but he is still capable of big points performances with Haas if he can bring it together. Getty
  • Kevin Magnussen (Haas). The Dane had his best season in F1 last year and he needs to find the form of particularly the first half of the campaign, when he regularly was the quickest Haas, to ensure he maximises every points- scoring opportunity. Getty
    Kevin Magnussen (Haas). The Dane had his best season in F1 last year and he needs to find the form of particularly the first half of the campaign, when he regularly was the quickest Haas, to ensure he maximises every points- scoring opportunity. Getty
  • Nico Hulkenberg (Renault). The first time since 2010, his debut year, that the German has had a proven race winner as his teammate. Back then it was Rubens Barrichello at Williams. Now it is Ricciardo, and this season should give us a clear answer to how good, or not, he actually is. AFP
    Nico Hulkenberg (Renault). The first time since 2010, his debut year, that the German has had a proven race winner as his teammate. Back then it was Rubens Barrichello at Williams. Now it is Ricciardo, and this season should give us a clear answer to how good, or not, he actually is. AFP
  • Daniel Ricciardo (Renault). The Australian has taken a huge risk on his reputation by leaving Red Bull for the French team. Podium finishes would be a great result but must consistently beat his teammate to prove he is still a potential future world champion. Getty
    Daniel Ricciardo (Renault). The Australian has taken a huge risk on his reputation by leaving Red Bull for the French team. Podium finishes would be a great result but must consistently beat his teammate to prove he is still a potential future world champion. Getty
  • Pierre Gasly (Red Bull). Tough challenge for this Gasly. The highly rated Daniel Ricciardo was well beaten by Verstappen last season and Gasly needs to find a way to match the Dutchman. Showed on occasions at Toro Rosso in 2018 he can be quick when he has the package hooked up underneath him. Getty
    Pierre Gasly (Red Bull). Tough challenge for this Gasly. The highly rated Daniel Ricciardo was well beaten by Verstappen last season and Gasly needs to find a way to match the Dutchman. Showed on occasions at Toro Rosso in 2018 he can be quick when he has the package hooked up underneath him. Getty
  • Max Verstappen (Red Bull). The Dutchman was tremendous in the second half of 2018 and has the consistency to be a championship challenger if, and it is a big if, the Honda engine in the back of the Red Bull is powerful enough. Reuters
    Max Verstappen (Red Bull). The Dutchman was tremendous in the second half of 2018 and has the consistency to be a championship challenger if, and it is a big if, the Honda engine in the back of the Red Bull is powerful enough. Reuters
  • Charles Leclerc (Ferrari). After an impressive debut season with Sauber has been given his chance at the front of the field. Racing against Vettel and how he handles the opportunity to win races will be one of the fascinating narratives of 2019. Getty
    Charles Leclerc (Ferrari). After an impressive debut season with Sauber has been given his chance at the front of the field. Racing against Vettel and how he handles the opportunity to win races will be one of the fascinating narratives of 2019. Getty
  • Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari). If testing is accurate then this is the German’s best chance yet to win his fifth title and first with Ferrari. Needs to cut out the silly errors but if he can do that then he may be difficult to beat. EPA
    Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari). If testing is accurate then this is the German’s best chance yet to win his fifth title and first with Ferrari. Needs to cut out the silly errors but if he can do that then he may be difficult to beat. EPA
  • Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes). This season will defines the Finn’s career. If he repeats last year’s inconsistent form and goes winless again then he will be almost certainly dropped for reserve driver Esteban Ocon. AFP
    Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes). This season will defines the Finn’s career. If he repeats last year’s inconsistent form and goes winless again then he will be almost certainly dropped for reserve driver Esteban Ocon. AFP
  • Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes). The five-time world champion goes for a sixth title and a fifth in the past six years. Will win races but if Ferrari do have a clear performance edge it may be a tough challenge for the Briton to be the victor again over the season. Getty
    Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes). The five-time world champion goes for a sixth title and a fifth in the past six years. Will win races but if Ferrari do have a clear performance edge it may be a tough challenge for the Briton to be the victor again over the season. Getty

F1

F1 2019: From Lewis Hamilton to Lando Norris - meet the 20 racers on this year's grid

A look at who is racing this season and what their aspirations for the season will be

Graham Caygill

March 09, 2019

  • English
  • Arabic

The 2019 Formula One season begins on March 17 with the Australian Grand Prix.

It is the start of a 21-race schedule that will climax with the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on December 1.

The 20-driver grid is much changed for 2019, with only two teams (Mercedes-GP and Haas) having the same line-up as the year before.

There are three debutants in the shape of Lando Norris (McLaren), George Russell (Williams) and Alexander Albon (Toro Rosso), with three others returning to the series in the shape of Robert Kubica (Williams), Daniil Kvyat (Toro Rosso) and Antonio Giovinazzi (Alfa Romeo).

Check out all of the racers in the gallery above and see what their respective aspirations and targets are. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows, or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.

Lando NorrisEtihad AirwaysLewis HamiltonF1