F1: 5 intriguing team-mate battles in 2019

#1 Williams | George Russell vs Robert Kubica

The Polish driver, having managed to pull off a major comeback, will face off against the current GP2 champion

George Russell is the third Brit on the grid and the reigning F2 champ, while Kubica has had one of the most heartening comeback stories in F1 - making a return after a career threatening injury.

Williams have gone backwards in the turbo era and took the wooden spoon last season. Having ditched the pay drivers, they now have, unlike last year, two proper drivers to haul them back up the grid - assuming the car is any better.

The question is, who would do better - Russell or Kubica? You never know. Sentimentally you are tilted towards the experienced Polish driver; practically you would be wise in taking a bet on the young Mercedes-backed champion.

This is an intriguing story to keep an eye on in 2019.