F1 : Team forecasts for the 2019 season

#4. Renault

Daniel Ricciardo at the 2019 F1 Grand Prix of Australia

The spotlight will be on Australian Daniel Ricciardo who made a bold and risky move in making the move to Renault from Red Bull. Daniel Ricciardo with 7 race wins in his career so far will look to prove sceptics who questioned his move to Renault wrong.

But it could well backfire on him if Red Bull is vindicated in their stand to forge a partnership with Honda. Ricciardo will line-up alongside another Formula One veteran Nico Hulkenberg who has the most starts in Formula One (157) without a podium finish.

Prospects: Repeating their achievement of finishing 4th as was in 2018 will be an achievement but far more challenging this time round.

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#3. Red Bull

Max Verstappen at the 2019 F1 Grand Prix of Australia

Max Verstappen, still only 21 years of age is now the leader of the pack at Red Bull and a lot of the Team's fortunes will hinge on this temperamental but immensely talented driver. With four seasons already under his belt, the combustive Dutch driver feels he is more responsible now. Could it be move over 'Mad Max', welcome through 'Mature Max'? Only time will tell.

On paper, no doubt the Dutchman will be a title contender. He will line up alongside Frenchman Pierre Gasly who got promoted from Toro Rosso. With Honda powering the Red Bulls for the first time, we can expect a few surprises from the Red Bull this season.

Prospects: Another third-place finish likely. But Red Bull is sure to close the gap with Mercedes and Ferrari.