F1 Preview: What to expect from teams and drivers in 2019  

Racing Point

F1 Grand Prix of Singapore

A real challenger for best of the rest this year has to be Racing Point, formerly called Force India, who now have the financial backing which may be the last little step to reach the top of the midfield battle they have been competing in for a number of years.

Last year saw the team put in a very respectable performance given it had to undergo lawsuits from one of its drivers, several serious accidents between the teammates (in the points as well which is a cardinal sin for the midfield where teams can be separated by the smallest of margins) and a new owner which led to the loss of all their points with most of the season behind them.

This year it has to be thought that with a more clear driver line up of number 1 and 2 drivers and a more secure position at the team’s headquarters we could be looking at the contender for the heavily contested fourth place in the constructors.

The only trouble I can say for this team is that the driver line up might become a problem. Lance Stroll can definitely be said to have had his seat bought by his dad acquiring the company and will undoubtedly be out to prove himself especially after his move led to the loss of arguably the most exciting young driver in Ocon (who I will say is a certainty to not only be back but feature heavily in the mid-season when contracts and moves start being brought up).

Combine a relative rookie with something to prove and Sergio Perez, a driver who has not had the best of relations with any of his teammates on the track and we could see even more inter-team battles.

It will be great for the sport but one has to wonder how that will work out for a team that will need every point it can get in a sure to be a close battle with Haas and Renault.