F1
Why unloved Lotus 76 may be Colin Chapman's most significant car
A wide variety of Lotus cars are often proffered as the ultimate F1 game-changer – but was the Lotus 76 an unusual candidate which trumps them all?
2019 F1 season: the expert verdicts - Anthony Davidson
Anthony Davidson’s take on the 2019 F1 season and the future of the sport
Photo: Motorsport Images
A stalwart of the SkyPad, Anthony Davidson combines his experience on the F1 grid, in top-level sports car racing and as a Mercedes development driver to bring insight to TV viewers throughout the Formula 1 season.
He’s also the next pundit to give his view on this year’s racing for Motor Sport.
Here are his thoughts on the 21-Grand Prix calendar in 2019, and the future of the sport.
More expert verdicts on the 2019 F1 season
Your overriding memory of 2019?
The gloves-off fighting from Austria onwards.
The greatest performance of the season?
Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes in Budapest. (Ed – Hamilton struggled with brake problems throughout the race after attacking Verstappen. He made a late call to try a two-stop strategy – Verstappen stayed out, for fear of the undercut, and Hamilton slowly reeled him in.)
The greatest race?
The most underwhelming driver?
Unfair to comment as everyone has ups and downs.
The most underwhelming team?
Again, unfair to comment as every F1 team already operates at a much higher level than most categories.
Three words to describe champion Lewis Hamilton?
Unstoppable, motivated, tenacious.
If I was in charge at Williams I would…
…Have started work on 2020 as soon as possible to try and hit the ground running.
2021 a new defining moment for F1, says Davidson
What are your thoughts on Formula 1’s new owners?
Opening up the sport with different formats for the teams, fans and broadcasters is a positive. New circuits/venues another plus point, but 2021 regulations will be a defining moment.
What do you make of the 2021 regulations?
I like the concept, in theory. More emphasis on ground effect, less on wings, is something I’ve been saying for years. Whether it can be achieved successfully while still allowing freedom of design is the difficult part.
Who was the bright young star for you this season?
Lando Norris had a good season, but was more in the limelight thanks to a revived McLaren. George Russell has had some brilliant qualifying sessions, and races too, and shouldn’t be ignored.
Who will win the championship next season?
With the regulations staying the same you’d be a fool to bet against the Mercedes/Hamilton combination.
You may also like
F1
Racing through the pain barrier: drivers who endured agony to reach the finish line
Finishing sixth in the Bahrain Grand Prix with broken wrists and a fractured toe, Lance Stroll is the latest racer to block out torturous pain rather than miss a race. Here are some of the most incredible stories
F1
The scramble to catch Red Bull – can any F1 team close the gap?
The hot pursuit of keeping up with Red Bull is causing serious headaches for Mercedes and Ferrari, with Aston Martin remaining realistic
F1
Unsettled Williams lacks 'vision of excellence' says new F1 boss Vowles
Williams was the second-most improved F1 team at the Bahrain GP, with Alex Albon scoring a point. But new team principal James Vowles says that it will take years to break into the midfield fight, as he overcomes the legacy left by seasons of struggle