Lewis Hamilton dominated F1 yet again – but will Brit star quit Mercedes for Ferrari?

LEWIS HAMILTON had all the answers as he stormed to his sixth Formula One title — but ended the season facing questions over a possible move to Ferrari.

Over 21 races in 2019, the Brit won 11 times, claimed five poles, set six fastest laps and stood on the podium 17 times.

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Will Lewis Hamilton end up at Ferrari after clinching his sixth F1 title?Credit: Reuters

He is now just one world title away from equalling Michael Schumacher’s record.

And while he was in a class of his own this year, Hamilton’s  season was not  without mistakes — most notably in the standout race  at Hockenheim.

The final German Grand Prix for the foreseeable future was a cracker, as a downpour before the start caused chaos.

Hamilton crashed twice in his Mercedes — as did his team-mate Valtteri Bottas and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc — while Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was lucky to escape with just a spin.

It was brilliantly entertaining as Mercedes’ double celebration — with staff marking  their  125th year in motorsport and 200th F1 GP by wearing 1950s dress —  backfired spectacularly.

Off track it was also a year where Hamilton continued to evolve as a personality that transcends the sport.

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Along with his fashion business, he co-produced a documentary on veganism and spoke out about climate change and animal welfare.

Even if it did draw fierce and unnecessary criticism at times, the fact the leading sportstar in his field speaks his mind should be reason to applaud, not to condemn him.

Take nothing away from Hamilton’s success, but it was also a season of let-downs elsewhere.

Ferrari stuffed it up again, despite having the quickest car all year.

And a finger must be pointed at Bottas, who again was outclassed by his team-mate despite all the pre- season hype surrounding the Finn.

So what of Ferrari?

They looked brilliant in Barcelona at  pre-season testing and talk about Merc’s winning run coming to an end seemed legitimate. But then they went into reverse.

Reliability issues cost Leclerc some early-season wins and then there was Sebastian Vettel.

This was another stinker for the German. His performance in Italy was the undoubted low point, unfortunate for him it come in front of his bosses.

Oh, and that the race was won by the brilliant Leclerc, who became the instant darling of the Tifosi, who welcomed him into the Italian team.

Move over Vettel, there is a new No 1 in town.

All this   has led to  speculation about him being replaced at Ferrari by Hamilton.

Meanwhile, Red Bull were enjoying a resurgence after linking up with Honda.

The Japanese engine maker silenced their critics as they helped Verstappen to three wins.

And what about the British rookies?

Lando Norris, 20, impressed at McLaren, while 21-year-old George Russell could do little in a poor Williams car — although he did thrash team-mate Robert Kubica 21-0 in qualifying.

London-born racer Alex Albon was the star, winning a promotion from Toro Rosso to Red Bull. The 23-year-old is definitely one to watch in 2020.

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There are no major rule changes next year and the tyres are remaining the same, so I expect Mercedes to be strong but I do feel  Red Bull and Ferrari will catch them up.

I am expecting a three-way title fight, as Hamilton’s campaign for a record-equalling seventh world crown will come under attack from young guns Leclerc and Verstappen, both 22.

We also have some new venues on a record-breaking 22-race calendar. A street race in Vietnam will be exciting, the return of the Dutch GP at Zandvoort less so.

With all 20 drivers out of contract in 2021, the driver market will be a constant talking point.

Will Hamilton go to Ferrari as a replacement for Vettel? Perhaps.

Will Verstappen move to Mercedes from Red Bull? We will see. Expect plenty of rumour and intrigue as the 2021 jigsaw slowly falls into place.

Elsewhere, we have the Formula E season that sees a finale in London and the female-only single-seater championship, the W Series, will see its second season with Brit Jamie Chadwick looking to retain her crown.

WHAT I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO IN 2020

SEEING Hamilton potentially break Schumacher’s all-time record of 91 victories in F1.

Eight wins will do it and, by the end of next season, the Brit could also have equalled Schumacher’s total of seven world titles.

I am also excited to see the internal politics between Hamilton’s contract negotiations at Mercedes and what it means for the rest of the grid.

Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk