2019 Formula 1 Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championship Standings After a Thrilling Japanese Grand Prix
The 2019 Formula 1 season delivered yet another captivating chapter at the iconic Suzuka Circuit with the Japanese Grand Prix. This pivotal race often plays a crucial role in shaping the championship narratives, and the 2019 edition was no exception. As the dust settled and the final points were tallied, the landscape of both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships became clearer, though still ripe with intrigue for the remaining races. Fans witnessed fierce battles up and down the grid, strategic masterstrokes, and moments of high drama that underscored the relentless competition in motorsport’s pinnacle series.
Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport, in particular, had a weekend to remember, securing their sixth consecutive Constructors’ Championship, a testament to their unparalleled engineering prowess and consistent performance. However, the fight for the individual Drivers’ Championship remained very much alive, with Lewis Hamilton leading the charge but facing persistent pressure from his teammate Valtteri Bottas and the formidable Ferrari and Red Bull challengers. The Japanese Grand Prix provided a vital snapshot of the season’s progression, highlighting who was performing at their peak and which teams faced an uphill battle in the closing stages.
The 2019 F1 Drivers’ Championship: A Deep Dive into the Standings
| Position | Driver | Total Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lewis Hamilton | 338 |
| 2 | Valtteri Bottas | 274 |
| 3 | Charles Leclerc | 221 |
| 4 | Max Verstappen | 212 |
| 4 | Sebastian Vettel | 212 |
| 6 | Carlos Sainz Jnr | 76 |
| 7 | Pierre Gasly | 73 |
| 8 | Alexander Albon | 64 |
| 9 | Daniel Ricciardo | 42 |
| 10 | Nico Hulkenberg | 35 |
| 10 | Sergio Perez | 35 |
| 10 | Lando Norris | 35 |
| 13 | Daniil Kvyat | 33 |
| 14 | Kimi Raikkonen | 31 |
| 15 | Kevin Magnussen | 20 |
| 16 | Lance Stroll | 19 |
| 17 | Romain Grosjean | 8 |
| 18 | Antonio Giovinazzi | 4 |
| 19 | Robert Kubica | 1 |
| 20 | George Russell | 0 |
After the Japanese Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton maintained a commanding lead in the Drivers’ Championship with an impressive 338 points. His consistent top-tier performances throughout the season, characterized by strategic brilliance and sheer pace, had put him in a strong position to clinch yet another world title. Hamilton’s ability to extract maximum performance from his Mercedes car, combined with tactical acumen, made him the benchmark for the field. His lead of 64 points over his closest competitor underscored his remarkable season-long dominance.
Valtteri Bottas, Hamilton’s Mercedes teammate, held onto second place with 274 points. Bottas delivered a superb performance at Suzuka, securing victory and demonstrating his capability to challenge Hamilton when conditions were right. His season was marked by periods of strong form, and he was crucial in Mercedes’ Constructors’ Championship success. While the title seemed a distant dream, Bottas’s fight for individual race wins and solid points finishes remained vital.
The battle for third place was incredibly tight and intensely watched. Charles Leclerc of Ferrari sat just ahead with 221 points. The young Monegasque driver had enjoyed a breakout season, securing multiple pole positions and victories, showcasing immense talent and speed. His aggressive driving style and ability to push the car to its limits made him a constant threat. Hot on his heels, however, were Max Verstappen of Red Bull and his Ferrari teammate Sebastian Vettel, both tied with 212 points. This three-way tussle epitomized the competitive spirit of the 2019 season. Verstappen’s relentless pursuit of podiums, coupled with Honda’s improving engine performance, made him a formidable opponent. Vettel, a four-time world champion, had faced a challenging season marked by strategic missteps and internal team battles, but his experience and raw speed kept him firmly in the mix.
Further down the standings, the midfield battle was just as enthralling. Carlos Sainz Jnr. of McLaren emerged as the “best of the rest” with a commendable 76 points. His consistent scoring and mature driving were pivotal in McLaren’s resurgence. Pierre Gasly, after moving to Toro Rosso, showed impressive resilience and talent, accumulating 73 points. His strong performances post-Red Bull demotion proved his capabilities. Alexander Albon, in his debut season, seamlessly integrated into Red Bull Racing after the summer break, earning 64 points across both Toro Rosso and Red Bull. His rapid adaptation was a key storyline.
Experienced drivers like Daniel Ricciardo (Renault, 42 points), Nico Hülkenberg (Renault, 35 points), and Sergio Perez (Racing Point, 35 points) found themselves in robust battles for points. The close competition for tenth position, where Hülkenberg, Perez, and McLaren’s rookie Lando Norris were all tied on 35 points, highlighted the intense fight for every single championship point in the midfield. Daniil Kvyat (Toro Rosso, 33 points) and veteran Kimi Räikkönen (Alfa Romeo, 31 points) also added significant contributions to their teams’ tallies, demonstrating their unwavering commitment and skill.
The lower end of the grid saw drivers like Kevin Magnussen (Haas, 20 points), Lance Stroll (Racing Point, 19 points), and Romain Grosjean (Haas, 8 points) battling hard for any available points, often in less competitive machinery. Antonio Giovinazzi (Alfa Romeo, 4 points) began to find his footing in his rookie season, while Robert Kubica (Williams, 1 point) famously scored Williams’ sole point of the season, a truly remarkable achievement given the car’s struggles. George Russell (Williams, 0 points), despite not scoring any points, consistently outperformed his car and demonstrated promising potential for the future.
The 2019 F1 Constructors’ Championship: Team Battles Unfold
| Position | Team | Total Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mercedes | 612 |
| 2 | Ferrari | 433 |
| 3 | Red Bull | 323 |
| 4 | McLaren | 111 |
| 5 | Renault | 77 |
| 6 | Toro Rosso | 59 |
| 7 | Racing Point | 54 |
| 8 | Alfa Romeo | 35 |
| 9 | Haas | 28 |
| 10 | Williams | 1 |
In the Constructors’ Championship, Mercedes had already cemented their dominance at the Japanese Grand Prix, securing their sixth consecutive title with an astounding 612 points. This incredible feat solidified their place as one of the most successful teams in Formula 1 history. Their consistent performance, coupled with a highly reliable and powerful power unit, proved insurmountable for their rivals. The Silver Arrows truly set the standard for modern F1 excellence, blending driver talent with engineering brilliance.
Ferrari stood in a distant second with 433 points. Despite having a car capable of challenging for victories and pole positions, particularly in the latter half of the season, strategic errors, driver incidents, and sometimes inconsistent performance prevented them from mounting a sustained challenge to Mercedes. However, their improvement over the season showcased their potential for future campaigns.
Red Bull Racing, powered by Honda, occupied a solid third place with 323 points. The partnership with Honda demonstrated significant progress throughout the year, with Verstappen delivering strong results. While a championship challenge was out of reach, Red Bull solidified its position as the clear third-best team, often mixing it with Ferrari at the front and showing promising signs for future seasons as the Honda power unit continued to develop.
The midfield Constructors’ battle was a crucial fight for prestige and prize money. McLaren experienced a remarkable resurgence, firmly establishing themselves as the fourth-best team with 111 points. Their consistent points scoring from both Sainz and Norris marked a significant turnaround for the storied British team, inspiring optimism for their future. Renault, in fifth with 77 points, aimed for higher but faced tough competition. Their season saw glimpses of pace but also periods of inconsistency, including a post-race disqualification in Japan that further impacted their points tally.
Toro Rosso delivered an impressive season, accumulating 59 points. Their ability to capitalize on opportunities and strong performances from Kvyat and Gasly often saw them punching above their weight. Racing Point followed with 54 points, demonstrating resilience in a competitive midfield. Alfa Romeo (35 points) and Haas (28 points) were locked in a tight battle, with both teams showing flashes of pace but struggling with consistency and operational execution. Finally, Williams, despite their immense heritage, endured a challenging year, securing only 1 point. This singular point, scored by Robert Kubica, was a poignant moment in an otherwise difficult season, highlighting the monumental effort required to compete at the pinnacle of motorsport.
Relive the Action: Key Moments from the 2019 Japanese Grand Prix
For those who wish to delve deeper into the events that shaped these standings, the 2019 Japanese Grand Prix was filled with memorable moments and crucial decisions. From dramatic starts to post-race controversies, these articles provide further insights into one of the most exciting races of the season and its lasting impact on the championship landscape:
- F1 is “sometimes not the nicest sport” says Ricciardo after latest disqualification
- Bottas admits “lucky” Suzuka start was aided by Vettel’s early move
- Leclerc: It would have been wrong not to penalise us in Japan
- Updated championship points and Japanese Grand Prix result following Renault’s disqualification
- Top ten pictures from the 2019 Japanese Grand Prix
Browse all 2019 Japanese Grand Prix articles
As the F1 caravan prepared to leave Suzuka, the championship battles, especially for the drivers, were poised for an exciting conclusion. While Mercedes had claimed the constructors’ crown, the fight for individual glory and crucial midfield positions promised plenty of drama in the remaining races of the 2019 Formula 1 season. The Japanese Grand Prix served as a powerful reminder of why Formula 1 continues to captivate millions around the globe.