F1: Top 3 driver line-ups of 2019

Formula One is coming back with a grid in 2019 which is almost unrecognisable from the last. Like always, there are driver combinations with a clear hierarchy as well as teams with drivers starting off on an equal footing.

Ferrari has a new and star, McLaren are starting with a clean slate with Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris, Williams have a brand new look with Robert Kubica and F2 champion George Russell, Red Bull have promoted Pierre Gasly to partner Max Verstappen, while sister team Toro Rosso has re-hired Daniil Kvyat to be Alexander Albon's partner.

Also returning is Kimi Raikkonen to Sauber, to drive alongside Antonio Giovinazzi. Sergio Pérez stays on at Racing Point to partner Lance Stroll and Renault pairs Nico Hulkenberg with the man who started the frenetic shuffling of driver-line-up in the first place in 2018 - Daniel Ricciardo.

It is one of the most talented, closely matched grids to have assembled in recent past with almost everyone earning a drive on merit and not sponsor money. That makes the team line-ups stronger too. Here are the top 3, in ascending order. All the constructors featured here are, incidentally, works outfits.

---

#3 Lewis Hamilton-Valtteri Bottas | Mercedes

Hamilton and Bottas have done a great job for Mercedes in their two years as teammates

Mercedes is the only squad apart from Haas, which has maintained their driver line-up. Winless in 2018, Valtteri Bottas is under pressure, however, the duo is experienced and both have won races.

They work well in tandem and as a package, they are one of the strongest on the grid. It is odd to slot the defending constructors' champions in the third slot, and while they might very well end up winning again, they don't have the best driver combination.

It can't be when an overwhelming majority of the polls are projecting Hamilton to dominate Bottas again and with comfortable ease. We might as well see a driver line-up change if things go south with the talented but out-of-luck Finn.

#2 Sebastian Vettel-Charles Leclerc | Ferrari

Ferrari have both youth and experience

Sebastian Vettel has had two chances of delivering the title and has been beaten by Lewis Hamilton twice. He would finally look to deliver in his fifth year with the Italian team. The added threat of Charles Leclerc can spur on as motivation for the 4-time champ.

Ferrari still have a very strong line-up despite their last drivers' champion in Raikkonen departing for Alfa Romeo Sauber. His replacement - Leclerc, does come in as an understudy but he is supremely talented and extremely quick. The status quo has all the potential to change.

That dynamism and unpredictability have been missing from Ferrari this whole decade with a clear number 1 driver spearheading their title challenges, which have ultimately floundered. Incidentally, if Ferrari fail to win the constructors' title in 2019, they will go title-less in an entire decade (2010-19) for the first time in history.

#1 Nico Hulkenberg-Daniel Ricciardo | Renault

Renault have a winning combination but the car must be competitive

While Daniel Ricciardo and Nico Hulkenberg have won the least number of races in total (7) as compared to the Ferrari and Mercedes line-ups, they are the works team which have the best line-up for the season. Both drivers have all bases covered in terms of skill and potential. Ricciardo has got race-craft and Hulkenberg blistering qualifying pace.

Additionally, while the Aussie touches down as the big-ticket Grand Prix-winning driver, there will be no preferential treatment from Renault. Hulkenberg starts his first campaign where he won't be held back by his tall frame as the weight restrictions have been removed. This is as finely poised as it is tightly wound.

Together they may not win many races this season (or they might if Renault's engine finds the missing horsepower) but it is a most solid line-up of the year with mature and potentially championship winning drivers.