The 2019 Formula 1 season marked a pivotal moment for Carlos Sainz Jnr, as he delivered an exceptional performance, securing an improbable career-best sixth place in the Drivers’ Championship. This remarkable achievement wasn’t merely a stroke of luck; it was the culmination of his innate talent, relentless hard work, and an astute ability to maximise the potential of what was arguably McLaren’s most competitive car since the advent of the V6 hybrid-turbo era.
Advert | Become a Supporter & go ad-free
Sainz not only navigated the occasional technical glitches that plagued the MCL34 but also consistently outpaced his highly-touted rookie teammate, Lando Norris. Furthermore, he strategically capitalised on the mid-season driver reshuffle at Red Bull – a team that, in hindsight, might regret not having given Sainz a more serious look before allowing such a formidable talent to slip through their fingers.
The intra-team battle between Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris was one of the most compelling narratives of the 2019 season. While both drivers showcased impressive speed, particularly in qualifying, Sainz’s greater experience proved to be a decisive factor on race day. His consistent points-scoring prowess meant that by the close of the season, he had amassed nearly double his teammate’s points tally, underscoring his maturity and race craft.
Qualifying Pace: A Deep Dive into Lap Times
The lower the lines, the better the driver performed
Analyzing the raw qualifying statistics reveals a fascinating parity between Sainz and Norris. According to RaceFans’ meticulous count, which excludes sessions where a driver failed to set a representative lap time, Sainz and Norris concluded the year tied at 10-10 in their qualifying head-to-head. However, if Sainz’s unfortunate inability to set a time during the Brazilian Grand Prix qualifying session is factored in, then Norris edges out his teammate as a narrow winner. This slight discrepancy highlights the fine margins that define Formula 1 qualifying battles and the impact of unforeseen circumstances.
Sainz was quick to commend his rookie teammate, acknowledging Norris’s consistent strength in qualifying throughout his junior career. “For my side it’s not frustrating,” Sainz remarked. “Actually I think it’s great news for a team to have a guy that pushes you all the way through the year. Lando has done a great job in qualifying this year. He’s been very quick at every point during the season.” This mutual respect fostered a healthy competitive environment within the McLaren garage, benefiting the team’s overall performance.
Sainz further elaborated that while the win/loss record in qualifying provides one perspective, the actual lap time difference is a more critical metric for true performance evaluation. He pointed out that by the second half of the season, he had established a clear advantage in this regard, consistently finding that crucial extra tenth or two.
“I think you guys look a bit too deep into these numbers because there’s always two or three qualifying [sessions] a year where someone is unlucky, you don’t even take part in qualifying because you have an engine penalty,” Sainz explained, addressing the media’s focus on raw head-to-head counts. “So honestly, these 21 races, there’s so many things that happen I think you guys give this battle a big hype and sometimes you don’t even take part in three qualifying [sessions] and you put it as three-zero for someone. You try and hype it up. What is important is that Lando and I have been within a tenth or within a couple of times with each other. And I think that makes [team principal] Andreas Seidl here happy.” This perspective underscores the complexity of evaluating driver performance beyond simplistic statistics, considering the myriad variables that influence a Formula 1 season.
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter andgo ad-free
Race Day Performance: From Start to Finish
The 2019 season saw McLaren steadily build upon their performance, with the distinctive orange cars occasionally seen battling amongst the front-runners during the initial laps of races, particularly in the latter half of the season. This momentary surge provided glimpses of McLaren’s potential, igniting hopes among fans. However, the MCL34 often lacked the sustained pace to consistently challenge the top teams throughout an entire race distance. The primary objective remained to outperform their direct midfield rivals and consolidate their position as the leading ‘best of the rest’.
Sainz candidly reflected on the car’s slight weakness in race performance compared to its single-lap qualifying pace. “I am super happy to overtake [the front runners] and give them a bit of a run, but then I’m obviously also frustrated to not be able to hold on to them for very long,” he admitted. This honest assessment highlighted the ongoing development challenge for McLaren.
He continued, “That’s why I say that also in qualifying we are eight tenths, one second [away]. In race pace that translates into a bit worse tyres management, a bit worse feeling with the car and that gap probably increases. It just shows that we need to keep working in this direction and keep making the car stronger mainly also for a for race pace, because that’s what’s going to allow us to hold onto them.” Sainz’s analysis pointed to crucial areas for improvement in tire degradation and overall car balance during longer stints, aspects vital for sustained race competitiveness.
Despite these inherent limitations, Sainz consistently maximised the opportunities available to him. He regularly converted his strong top-10 qualifying positions into valuable points finishes, a testament to his exceptional race craft and strategic acumen. Two particular races stand out as prime examples of his resilience and skill: the Austrian Grand Prix and the Brazilian Grand Prix. In both instances, Sainz recovered superbly from technical problems in qualifying that forced him to start from the back of the grid, yet he still managed to secure some of his best results of the year.
The pinnacle of his 2019 season, and arguably his career at that point, came in Brazil. Aided by a post-race penalty for Lewis Hamilton, Sainz clinched a sensational third place, marking not only his maiden Formula 1 podium finish but also McLaren’s first top-three finish in five years. This achievement was a powerful symbol of McLaren’s resurgence and Sainz’s pivotal role in their journey back to the front.
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter andgo ad-free
Points Distribution and Rival Performance
Head-to-Head: Race Results Against Other Drivers
Carlos Sainz established himself as the undisputed leader of the midfield in 2019, consistently demonstrating the performance and consistency required to be the ‘best of the rest’. His stellar season showed every indication that he possessed the capability to start troubling the established ‘big three’ teams – Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull – should McLaren provide him with a car quick enough to genuinely challenge at the sharp end. While many observers rightfully hailed 2019 as a breakthrough season for Sainz, he himself believes he had exhibited similar potential earlier in his career, albeit without the machinery to convert it into such prominent results.
“This year there’s been plenty of good performances,” he reflected. “Good starts, good first laps, good qualifying laps. I would pick a lot of this year. But there’s also been other years where I’ve performed at my best.” This statement highlights Sainz’s long-standing dedication and skill, suggesting that 2019 was less of a sudden emergence and more of a grand affirmation of the talent that had been brewing for years. His ability to deliver under pressure, manage races strategically, and extract maximum performance from his car solidified his reputation as one of the most complete drivers on the grid. His successful 2019 campaign not only boosted McLaren’s standing but also paved the way for his future career trajectory, ultimately leading to a coveted seat at Scuderia Ferrari.
Go ad-free for just £1 per month>> Find out more and sign up
2019 Season: Reasons for Retirements
| Race | Retirement Reason |
|---|---|
| Australia | Power unit failure |
| Belgium | Power unit issue |
| Italy | Wheel attachment problem |
Quotes courtesy of Dieter Rencken
Further Insights into the 2019 F1 Season
- Crying in the Melbourne car park at 2019 grand prix was my career low – Ocon
- McLaren Racing reports reduced £71 million loss in 2019
- Kvyat: Hockenheim podium last year was “my biggest achievement” so far
- How the FIA’s new encrypted fuel flow meter targets Ferrari’s suspected ‘aliasing’ trick
- “He smashed my office door”: 23 must-see moments from ‘Drive to Survive’ season two
Browse all 2019 F1 season articles