Formula 1: No clear ‘best of the rest’ team through four races in 2019

Through the first four races of the 2019 Formula 1 season, there is still no clear “best of the rest” team, as the mid-pack battle has been tight.

“Best of the rest” is the unofficial title that is given to the Formula 1 team that finishes in fourth place in the constructor standings behind Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport, Scuderia Ferrari and Aston Martin Red Bull Racing.

Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull Racing have combined to win each of the last 122 races going back to the 2013 season. That last race that was not won by one of these teams was the 2013 season opener, the Australian Grand Prix. This race was won by Lotus when Kimi Raikkonen took the checkered flag.

Through the first four races of the 21-race 2019 season, there is still no clear “best of the rest” team due to how tight the mid-back battle has been. Four of the seven non-Mercedes, Ferrari or Red Bull Racing teams have finished as the “best of the rest” in one of the season’s first four races.

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Rich Energy Haas were the “best of the rest” in the season opener, the Australian Grand Prix, as Kevin Magnussen finished in sixth place behind five of the six Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull Racing drivers. McLaren were the “best of the rest” in the season’s second race, the Bahrain Grand Prix, as rookie Lando Norris finished in sixth behind the same five of these six drivers.

Renault were the “best of the rest” in the season’s third race, the Chinese Grand Prix, as Daniel Ricciardo finished in seventh place behind the six Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull Racing drivers, and SportPesa Racing Point were the “best of the rest” in the season’s fourth race, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, as Sergio Perez finished in sixth behind five of these six drivers.

McLaren currently sit in fourth place in the constructor standings behind Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull Racing, but most of the other teams battling for the “best of the rest” title are well within striking distance of them.

McLaren have earned 18 points so far this season thanks to one sixth place finish, one seventh place finish and one eighth place finish. Racing Point sit right behind them in fifth in the constructor standings with 17 points, which they earned thanks to one sixth place finish, one eighth place finish, two ninth place finishes and one 10th place finish.

Right behind McLaren and Racing Point in sixth place in the constructor standings are Alfa Romeo Racing. They sit in sixth with 13 points thanks to one seventh place finish, one eighth place finish, one ninth place finish and one 10th place finish. Renault sit right behind them in seventh in the standings with 12 points thanks to two seventh place finishes.

Haas are a bit further back in eighth place in the constructor standings with eight points thanks to one sixth place finish while Scuderia Toro Rosso sit in ninth in the standings with four points thanks to one ninth place finish and two 10th place finishes.

ROKiT Williams Racing are really the only team not within striking distance of fourth place in the constructor standings, as they are well off the pace of every other team on the grid. Through the season’s first four races, none of their drivers have even finished ahead of any non-Williams drivers, aside of the drivers who have been forced to retire from races.

Which team will end up winning the unofficial “best of the rest” title for the 2019 Formula 1 season? Through the season’s first four races, it is still anybody’s guess, as a great weekend for McLaren, Racing Point, Alfa Romeo Racing, Renault, Haas or Toro Rosso could be enough to propel them to fourth place in the constructor standings, or at least very close to it.