Ever because the new Components One technical rules got here into impact for the 2014 season, there have been few shocks coming about. Mercedes dominated for the primary seven years, profitable all fourteen drivers and constructors’ championships from 2014 to 2020. In 2021, there was a once-in-a-lifetime showdown between two drivers Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, with the Dutchman popping out on high. Since then, he has been pushing to his max himself, profitable 37 of the final 48 grand prixs.
However, whereas we’d develop bored of the Hamilton-Verstappen dominance of the game, it makes underdog tales much more joyfully celebrated than ever. Moments that we are going to be discussing on this article embrace magical drives all the best way to the top-three spot from a few of the most beloved drivers. Let’s see in case your favourite driver makes an look!
2014-2016: The Hamilton-Rosberg Silver Warfare
For the primary three years of those new hybrid rules, it was clearly Mercedes’ title to lose. Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg fashioned a formidable duo and took Mercedes to their first constructors championship in 2014. Nonetheless, this streak additionally noticed the falling out between the pair. Rosberg’s championship triumph in 2016 led to his early retirement as he had put in a lot effort to finall beat Hamilton. In these three years, Mercedes received 51 out of 58 races, so the competitors was for P2 within the constructors championship.
Nonetheless, some surprising and surprising podiums weren’t utterly out the window. Valtteri Bottas and Daniel Ricciardo earned their first Components One podium, with Ricciardo even taking three wins of his personal and thus grew to become the one non-Mercedes driver to win a race that 12 months. Nonetheless, essentially the most surprising podium for 2014 needed to go to Kevin Magnussen, who made his Components One debut with McLaren on the Australian Grand Prix. He initially completed P3, however later acquired promoted to P2 by Ricciardo’s disqualification in his dwelling race. To this date, this remained the Dane’s solely podium in his Components One profession, and would develop into McLaren’s final podium for the following 5 years.
Different honourable mentions
- Romain Grosjean made a shock go to to the rostrum on the 2015 Belgian Grand Prix in an underperforming Lotus-Renault automobile. The Frenchman began the race in P9 and made his means all the best way as much as P3 alongside the 2 Mercedes.
- Jenson Button shared the Australian podium along with his teammate Magnussen. This could develop into the final podium of the 2009 World Champion’s profession.
2017-2019: The Mercedes-Ferrari Battles
Podiums are much more unique to the highest three groups throughout this second section of the turbo-hybrid period. Ferrari, Mercedes and Pink Bull shared all however 5 podiums from the 62 grand prixs all through these three seasons. Nonetheless, for the 2017 and 2018 seasons Sebastian Vettel and the Ferrari staff proved to be worthy challengers to Hamilton and the Mercedes staff. Early on in each seasons they took a lead in each championships, however errors within the 2017 Singapore Grand Prix and the 2018 German Grand Prix respectively ended their momentum. For 2019, Mercedes’s W10 was an outright championship-winning automobile by itself, and Hamilton marched on to take three championships in a row.
Throughout this era additionally see shifts to the line-ups of all the massive three groups. Valtteri Bottas joined Mercedes to switch the retired Nico Rosberg, Daniel Ricciardo left Pink Bull for Renault and was changed by Pierre Gasly (and later Alex Albon), whereas 2007 World Champion Kimi Raikkonen was demoted for prodigy Charles Leclerc at Ferrari.
For maiden podiums, we noticed 4 drivers earned their first profession podium on this interval: Stroll, Leclerc, Sainz and Gasly. Nonetheless, credit score should be given to Danil Kvyat. His P3 on the 2019 German Grand Prix was not his first, however positively his most spectacular. The Russian began the race in P14, however managed to outlive the moist interval with little points. Toro Rosso’s spectacular technique name allowed him to complete solely behind race winner Max Verstappen and hometown hero Sebastian Vettel.
Enjoyable truth
On the 2019 Brazillian Grand Prix, Carlos Sainz and Pierre Gasly scored their first podium. This was the primary time because the 1994 German Grand Prix that two drivers scored their maiden podium on the identical race. Will this feat be repeated as soon as extra throughout the 2024 season? Place your bets now and win huge on We88!
2020-2021: The Hamilton-Verstappen Years
The ultimate two years of this regulation proved to be stark in leisure. 2020 was probably the most dominant Components One seasons in recorded historical past, the place Lewis Hamilton received 11 out of 16 race to say his record-equalling seventh world title. 2021 was probably the most closely-fought title race in recorded historical past, with Hamilton and youngblood Max Verstappen going into the ultimate race equal on factors.
Verstappen appeared to be the one driver who may always deliver the combat to Hamilton ever since his debut on the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix, and as soon as given a correct race-winning automobile, he managed to go toe-to-toe with the seven-time champion. The 2021 season proved to be a altering of the guards, as Verstappen has gone on an unprecedented streak of dominance of his personal, whereas Hamilton is struggling to combat for podiums.
When it comes to a shock podium, there are fairly a couple of first rate candidates to select from. Pierre Gasly’s victory on the 2020 Italian Grand Prix or his P3 on the 2021 Azerbaijan Grand Prix are equally spectacular. Sebastian Vettel’s P2 on the identical Azerbaijan race additionally marked Aston Martin’s return to Components One in model. However, after all, it must be Sergio Perez’ victory on the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix. Spun round and useless final on the finish of the primary lap, he patiently lower by the sector and took management of his future. Sure, Mercedes tousled their tyres and Verstappen crashed out in the beginning, however the credit need to be given to Perez who drove all the best way to earn his first victory after 190 race begins.
Enjoyable truth
Aside from the well-known HAM-VER-BOT trio, nobody scored greater than eight podiums in these two seasons. This didn’t solely confirmed how far forward these three drivers have been, but additionally how wonderful Verstappen did to return out on high of a Mercedes driver.