Season snapshot · 2019
Source: Jolpica F1 API- WDC finish
- P6
- Wins
- 0
- Podiums
- 1
- Points
- 96
- DNFs
- 3
- Constructor
- McLaren Racing
Race-by-race
| Race | Grid | Finish | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australian | P18 | Power unit | 0 |
| Bahrain | P7 | P19 | 0 |
| Chinese | P14 | P14 | 0 |
| Azerbaijan | P9 | P7 | 6 |
| Spanish | P12 | P8 | 4 |
| Monaco | P9 | P6 | 8 |
| Canadian | P11 | P11 | 0 |
| French | P6 | P6 | 8 |
| Austrian | P19 | P8 | 4 |
| British | P13 | P6 | 8 |
| German | P7 | P5 | 10 |
| Hungarian | P8 | P5 | 10 |
| Belgian | P15 | Power loss | 0 |
| Italian | P7 | Wheel | 0 |
| Singapore | P7 | P12 | 0 |
| Russian | P5 | P6 | 8 |
| Japanese | P7 | P5 | 10 |
| Mexican | P7 | P13 | 0 |
| United States | P7 | P8 | 4 |
| Brazilian | P20 | P3 | 15 |
| Abu Dhabi | P8 | P10 | 1 |
Carlos Sainz's 2019 Formula 1 season was a defining year, solidifying his reputation as a tenacious and adaptable driver capable of maximizing his machinery within the competitive midfield.
Going in
Sainz arrived at McLaren for the 2019 season, his fifth in Formula 1, following stints with Toro Rosso and Renault. The move represented a fresh start for both driver and team, with McLaren aiming to reverse a period of underperformance. The broader context of the turbo-hybrid era saw Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team maintaining a dominant grip on the Constructors' Championship, with Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Ferrari typically contending for the remaining podium places. McLaren, powered by Renault engines, sought to establish itself as the clear leader of the midfield pack, a significant challenge given the established hierarchy.
How it played out
The season began with immediate adversity for Sainz. The Australian Grand Prix saw him retire after just nine laps due to a power unit issue, followed by a gearbox failure at the Bahrain Grand Prix. A 14th place finish in China meant no points from the opening three rounds. This initial period tested the team's resolve, but Sainz demonstrated resilience. His first points arrived with a 7th place at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, followed by an 8th in Spain and a strong 6th in Monaco. This marked a turning point, as Sainz began a consistent run of points finishes, often battling with drivers from teams like Renault and Haas. Despite another two DNFs later in the season – a power loss at Spa and a wheel issue at Monza – his ability to convert qualifying positions into race results became a hallmark of his year. For instance, at the German Grand Prix, a chaotic wet race, he navigated the conditions to secure a valuable 5th place from a 7th-place grid slot.
Defining moments
The undoubted highlight of Sainz's 2019 campaign was his maiden Formula 1 podium finish at the Brazilian Grand Prix. Starting from 20th on the grid due to a power unit change penalty, Sainz executed a strategic race, benefiting from incidents ahead, to cross the line in 4th. Following a post-race penalty for , Sainz was promoted to 3rd, securing his first podium in 101 Grand Prix starts. This result was not merely a stroke of luck; it was the culmination of a season-long effort to extract maximum performance from the McLaren MCL34. This achievement underscored his strategic acumen and race craft, demonstrating his capability to capitalize on opportunities, a trait also observed in drivers like in his debut season with McLaren.