Beyond the Flag
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Formula 1: 5 drivers set for a big 2020 season

By William Dodds

SUZUKA, JAPAN - OCTOBER 10: Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Red Bull Racing and Charles Leclerc of Monaco and Ferrari look on in the Drivers Press Conference during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Japan at Suzuka Circuit on October 10, 2019 in Suzuka, Japan. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
SUZUKA, JAPAN - OCTOBER 10: Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Red Bull Racing and Charles Leclerc of Monaco and Ferrari look on in the Drivers Press Conference during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Japan at Suzuka Circuit on October 10, 2019 in Suzuka, Japan. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images) /
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SUZUKA, JAPAN – OCTOBER 13: George Russell of Great Britain driving the (63) Rokit Williams Racing FW42 Mercedes (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
SUZUKA, JAPAN – OCTOBER 13: George Russell of Great Britain driving the (63) Rokit Williams Racing FW42 Mercedes (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) /

Since 2010, eight of the nine Formula 1 world championships contested have been won by either Lewis Hamilton or Sebastian Vettel.

However, this season hasn’t been plain sailing for the elder statesmen, with both Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc securing victories and drivers from the junior categories emerging.

Sebastian Vettel is now under threat from Leclerc within his own team, while the strength of Ferrari and Red Bull at certain tracks is likely to mean Lewis Hamilton will face a greater challenge next season.

Meanwhile, further down the grid there are a number of standout young drivers who will be looking to push on following a positive initial introduction to Formula 1.

We have set out the five drivers looking to kick on in 2020.

5. George Russell

The 2018 Formula 2 champion George Russell hasn’t quite been able to show his quality since arriving in Formula 1 with Williams at the start of this season. Williams have had one of the toughest seasons in their history, and with just one point, they sit in 10th (last) place in the constructor standings. Nonetheless, Russell has been impressive, consistently outqualifying and outracing teammate Robert Kubica with some ease.

His ability to stick at the unenviable task of driving round at the back of the grid has also been commendable and he has rarely strayed from utter professionalism in interviews. Without doubt, Russell will be looking at Alexander Albon and Lando Norris will a tinge of jealousy, but he will also realize that if continues to perform, he has a Mercedes seat waiting for him when Hamilton retires.

Therefore, 2020 will be an interesting season for Russell. With Nicholas Latifi his likely new teammate, it will be an opportunity to benchmark himself against someone other than Kubica.

Latifi also happens to come from a rather wealthy family and the hope at Williams will be that this added investment can lead to better results. Their progress this season has been slow and steady, but dramatic improvement is still needed if Russell is to be given the opportunity to show his true talent.

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