Russian Grand Prix
By this year’s Russian Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton will likely have secured, even if not mathematically, the 2019 driver championship (and probably the 2020 driver championship, who knows?). Team orders won’t be needed this time around to prevent Valtteri Bottas from winning at what has proven to be his best track during his tenure with Mercedes.
Winner: Valtteri Bottas
Japanese Grand Prix
The Japanese Grand Prix fits the perfect mold for a modern Formula 1 race, as it is regularly dominated by Mercedes and Hamilton. In fact, the driver and constructor champions of each of the last seven seasons have won it en route to securing their respective championships. Mercedes have been responsible for earning five of these seven victories, with Hamilton responsible for earning four of Mercedes’ five.
Winner: Lewis Hamilton
United States Grand Prix
Circuit of the Americas was Lewis Hamilton’s personal playground until last year’s United States Grand Prix turned into one of the best races and produced one of the best finishes that Formula 1 had seen in quite some time. Now with five victories in seven races at the track, don’t expect him to be deprived of a win there in two consecutive seasons.