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Formula 1: Way-too-early 2019 Driver Power Rankings

By Asher Fair

MONTMELO, SPAIN - MAY 13: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain driving the (44) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team Mercedes WO9 leads the field at the start during the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix at Circuit de Catalunya on May 13, 2018 in Montmelo, Spain. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
MONTMELO, SPAIN - MAY 13: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain driving the (44) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team Mercedes WO9 leads the field at the start during the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix at Circuit de Catalunya on May 13, 2018 in Montmelo, Spain. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) /
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SAO PAULO, BRAZIL – NOVEMBER 09: Nico Hulkenberg of Germany driving the (27) Renault Sport Formula One Team RS18 (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
SAO PAULO, BRAZIL – NOVEMBER 09: Nico Hulkenberg of Germany driving the (27) Renault Sport Formula One Team RS18 (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) /

#9 through #7

#9. . No. 11. Racing Point, Mercedes. SERGIO PEREZ

After a slow start to the 2018 season, which still included a podium finish for him, Sergio Perez stepped up his game in the second half of the season after Sahara Force India were renamed Racing Point Force India. While he was unable to earn his third consecutive “best of the rest” driver title, he managed to come close and should definitely be able challenge for that title again in 2019.

Renault, Renault. NICO HULKENBERG. #8. . No. 27

Nico Hulkenberg had a productive 2018 season that resulted in him literally flipping and flying in the season finale, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, en route to being crowned the “best of the rest” driver. Expect him to continue to improve in 2019, and expect the addition of Daniel Ricciardo as a teammate to push him to perform on an even higher and more consistent level.

No. 3. Renault, Renault. DANIEL RICCIARDO. #7.

Daniel Ricciardo’s switch from Red Bull Racing to Renault may not be as big of a loss for him as many people expect it to be, even in the 2019 season. Renault were the “best of the rest” team in the 2018 season, and they made some major improvements throughout the season. Ricciardo’s 2018 season was plagued by retirements. If he performs at the level at which he has been performing and he has better fortune driving for Renault as far as reliability is concerned, he may only drop one position in the driver standings from the 2018 season in 2019 and become the “best of the rest” driver.

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