F1: 5 feel good podiums for 2019

Podiums in Formula 1 since 2014 have become increasingly monotonous with a near certainty of drivers from Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull stepping on it and spraying the victory champagne. Only Williams, Renault, McLaren and Force India have managed a few streaky look-ins.

A stellar underdog drive of the day still won't necessarily see them on the podium unless the front runners have taken themselves out in a collision or mechanical trouble has caused a shuffle in the pack.

The regulations for 2019 will enable for closer racing and overtaking, which offers a glimmer of hope in changing that scenario. The sport needs new heroes, newer narratives to flourish, or else it runs the risk of being a contest between the top dogs and the also-rans.

Apart from the usual suspects from the top constructors, here's a list of drivers whose top-3 finish, if at all in 2019, will make for a feel-good story and infuse a fresh lease of life to the proceedings.

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#5 Pierre Gasly - Red Bull Racing

Gasly will most probably have a shot at a first podium

The Frenchman has the unenviable task of going up against Dutchman Max Verstappen and clearly starts as the number two driver for the Red Bull team. While he is older than his team-mate, he has lesser races under his belt and a podium will do his confidence a world of good.

Driving for Toro Rosso, his best finish was a stellar and completely unexpected fourth place in the 2018 Bahrain Grand Prix.

Would Gasly be able to go one better? Or two or maybe win his first grand prix? It definitely would make for a sweet story on two accounts - a Honda-powered podium, and proof that Gasly is the real deal when it comes to performing at the highest level and under extreme pressure.

#4 Nico Hulkenberg - Renault

Hulkenberg's podium will be a long-awaited one

Last year’s top midfield driver Nico Hulkenberg, is joined at Renault by Daniel Ricciardo, in what is undoubtedly Renault’s best driver line-up since they returned to F1 in 2016.

Hulkenberg has been the perennial bridesmaid, waiting for the luck to turn. Lady luck though has always flattered to deceive, flashing like a chimaera before disappearing to leave him high and dry.

The German is highly rated and exceptionally quick having seen off the challenges of a lot of midfield drivers like Sergio Pérez as his team-mates.

And yet, despite a pole and having had scores of half-chances, he has never been able to park his car in the parc fermé and head over to the enjoy the champagne.

He is now on an unwanted world record 156-race streak of podium-less drives. A Renault podium with 'The Hulk' will be hugely popular.

#3 Carlos Sainz - McLaren

Sainz has a massive task of leading McLaren back up the grid

With the kind of performances that the Woking side have put in since 2012, this podium, if it happens, is going to be as big as a race win for McLaren.

The sport needs McLaren to be back as their languishing fortunes has hit the competitiveness of the sport in general.

Sainz, who made his debut with Verstappen in the Toro Rosso in 2015, was first looked over by Red Bull despite being evenly matched.

He then came off as second best at his Renault stint. His career high has been a fourth place at the 2017 Singapore Grand Prix, but he definitely has it in him to finish higher with the right machinery.

His year with the Renault works team in 2018 will help give him better feedback to the Renault powered McLaren. Can he do with an independent customer team what he couldn't with the French works team?

#2 Kimi Raikkonen - Alfa Romeo Sauber

Raikkonen returns to Sauber, the team he debuted in F1

with in

2001

The oldest and the most loved driver on the track getting on the podium with a team on the way up will be as feel good as it comes.

The team that he started his career in 2001 with, Kimi Raikkonen would be the undisputed number 1 driver after a really long time, as far back as 2012, when he returned to Formula 1 with Lotus.

It seems weird to have a world champion being in such a position for so long, but unlike his Ferrari years, his hands won't be tied. He would be doing, in his words, 'pure racing'.

He has always been at his best when the expectations are tempered and he is allowed to do his own thing. Exactly how the grid stacks up is still uncertain but Sauber certainly has a chance of nabbing a podium with the Finn.

#1 Daniel Ricciardo - Renault

The world is waiting for the next

shoey

from Ricciardo

The world is a better place with a Daniel Ricciardo smile. It is even better with a Ricciardo shoey - one that last came out at the 2018 Monaco Grand Prix.

The Aussie has taken a leap of faith with his switch to Renault, who might actually be the weakest engine manufacturer on the grid. If not in terms of horsepower, then certainly in terms of investment dollars.

Ricciardo's performances will certainly be followed with keen eyes in the paddock - firstly for Renault's progress and largely also for his race-craft and daring overtaking manoeuvres. Just as he held the key to the driver transfer market in 2018, he will continue to hold it in 2020 if he keeps reaching the podiums with regularity.

A Renault shoey will certainly spice up the season and will almost surely be the most feel-good podium of the year.