Relive Lewis Hamilton’s dominant 2019 F1 season, from strategic brilliance to record-breaking wins, cementing his legendary status.
Seven Stars: Lewis Hamilton’s Legacy in Formula 1
As one chapter of Lewis Hamilton’s extraordinary career comes to a close, another is set to begin.
With his move to Ferrari in 2025, Hamilton leaves behind a legacy at Mercedes that redefined dominance in Formula 1. But before he embarks on this new journey, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the moments that made him a seven-time World Champion.
For seven weeks, we’ll relive the defining seasons of Hamilton’s career, celebrating his unparalleled achievements and revisiting the path that established him as one of the greatest drivers in history.
In week one, we explored his breakthrough year in 2008, The Birth of a Champion. We then revisited the dawn of his Mercedes dynasty in 2014, The Dawn of a Dynasty in week two. In week three, we celebrated his dominant 2015 season, A Championship of Perfection.
We analyzed 2017, The Art of Resilience, a season that highlighted his tenacity and ability to overcome a fierce rivalry with Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel in week four. In week five, we looked at 2018, The Fight for Five, another year where the Brit triumphed over Vettel.
Now, in the second to last week of seven, we look back at Hamilton’s 2019 season, A Season of Control.
2019: A Season of Control
The 2019 Formula 1 season was a showcase of Lewis Hamilton’s remarkable consistency and dominance.
While Ferrari emerged with improved straight-line speed and occasional flashes of brilliance, Mercedes remained the benchmark team, delivering a car that complemented Hamilton’s mastery.
The season’s narrative shifted from intense rivalries to Hamilton’s unyielding control. Race after race, he displayed an unparalleled ability to manage his performance, capitalizing on opportunities while minimizing mistakes.
The 2019 season was marked by Hamilton’s relentless focus and ability to excel even under pressure. Whether mastering tyre strategy in Monaco or winning in the challenging conditions of Hungary, Hamilton’s adaptability and precision were unmatched.
By the season’s close, Hamilton had amassed 11 wins and 5 pole positions, bringing his career totals to 84 victories and 88 poles. His sixth World Drivers’ Championship title placed him one step closer to the legendary record of Michael Schumacher, firmly etching his legacy in F1 history.
A Flying Start
Lewis Hamilton claimed pole at the season opener in Australia, however, it was his teammate Valtteri Bottas who took the chequered flag. The Finn took the lead by the first corner, dominating the race until the end, and even taking the fastest lap.
The fastest lap point was introduced during the 2019 season, making Bottas the first recipient of the award.
Ferrari displayed great qualifying pace during the 2019 season. At the 2019 Bahrain Grand Prix, in just his second year in the sport, and second race for the Scuderia, Charles Leclerc secured his first pole position.
The race saw Ferrari and Mercedes fight for the win, with the Silver Arrows emerging as the victors. Hamilton led the team’s second one-two of the season.
Mercedes continued their dominance with one-two finishes in the next three races. This brought their streak to an unprecedented five consecutive one-twos from the start of the season.
Hamilton took the wins in China and Spain, with Bottas crossing the finish line first in Azerbaijan.
Mastering Tyre Management and Home Glory
The Monaco Grand Prix is always a showcase of precision and nerve, and Hamilton’s 2019 victory was a masterclass in both. After securing pole position, he faced relentless pressure from Max Verstappen throughout the race.
Struggling with tyre degradation, Hamilton defended heroically. His win paid tribute to Niki Lauda, who had had a big influence on Hamilton’s career. Lauda had passed away earlier that week, making it an emotional triumph for the entire Mercedes team.
At Silverstone, the race began with a fierce battle between Hamilton and his Mercedes teammate, Bottas, who initially maintained the lead.
The turning point came when a safety car was deployed following Antonio Giovinazzi’s spin into the gravel. This allowed Hamilton to make a timely pit stop, enabling him to overtake Bottas and maintain the lead for the remainder of the race.
Hamilton set the fastest time on the last lap, crossing the line first to win the British GP a record sixth time.
Strategic Brilliance
In Hungary, Hamilton faced one of his toughest battles of the season against Verstappen. Red Bull’s young star led most of the race, but a bold call from Mercedes to switch Hamilton to a two-stop strategy turned the tide.
On fresher tyres, Hamilton hunted down Verstappen with relentless pace, overtaking him with just four laps to go.
At the Mexican Grand Prix, Hamilton executed a one-stop strategy to perfection, holding off Vettel in the closing laps. His ability to nurse his tyres while maintaining a competitive pace was a testament to his racecraft and composure under pressure.
The Perfect Finale
The season finale in Abu Dhabi was a showcase of Hamilton’s dominance. Despite having already clinched the title at the United States Grand Prix, the Brit still finished the season on a high.
Starting from pole, he led every lap of the race, securing his 11th win of the season, and sixth career grand slam. It was a flawless performance from the champion.
A Season of Excellence
Lewis Hamilton’s 2019 season was a year of triumph.
From his emotional win in Monaco to his masterclass at Silverstone, Hamilton proved his versatility. Each race highlighted his precision, focus, and ability to adapt under pressure.
His sixth championship not only brought him closer to Schumacher’s record but also solidified his place among Formula 1’s greatest legends.
The 2019 season was a testament to Hamilton’s consistency, racecraft, and determination. With his sixth championship in hand, he stood on the brink of equaling Michael Schumacher’s record of seven titles.
As the F1 world looked ahead to 2020, all eyes were on Hamilton to see if he could achieve yet another historic milestone.
