2019 Review – Lewis Hamilton: One Step Closer to Legend
The beginning of a new year is conducive to retrospection, and it is time to analyze the drivers' performances in 2019. Motors Inside invites you to delve into Lewis Hamilton's season, during which he secured his sixth world title.
Despite Ferrari’s successful winter testing, few observers doubted that Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton would be in the running for the title this year.
The now six-time world champion was greatly helped by the Reds’ early-season debacle to line up an impressive series of one-twos with his teammate Valtteri Bottas, putting Mercedes quickly out of reach of their competitors.
At the start of the season, Hamilton had a hard time with a resurgent Bottas, and he was only able to take the lead in the championship from him after his victory in Spain. This was followed by a difficult period for the Finn, who let the Briton battle with the two young wolves that are Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc.
Faced with this new competition, Hamilton did not hide his enjoyment even though he was sometimes challenged, like during his duel with Charles Leclerc at Monza. But once again, the Briton emerged victorious from these confrontations to be crowned at the United States Grand Prix, two races before the end of the championship.
During this season, the Mercedes driver did not seem worried, and his mystical approach to racing was reinforced by the tragedy that struck the motorsport world with the death of young Anthoine Hubert during the F2 race in Belgium, as well as the passing of one of his mentors, Niki Lauda.
Next year, Lewis Hamilton could equal the record of 7 titles held by Michael Schumacher, which seemed untouchable not too long ago. Meanwhile, the little boy from Stevenage who started in Formula 1 12 years ago already holds several records, including the impressive record for the number of pole positions with 88, which is 20 more than Schumacher! A legend is being written.
