Beyond the Flag
Fansided

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: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (33) Aston Martin Red Bull Racing RB15 (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
SUZUKA, JAPAN – OCTOBER 13: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (33) Aston Martin Red Bull Racing RB15 (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) /

4. Max Verstappen

Next year will be Max Verstappen’s sixth season in Formula, despite the fact he has only just passed his 22nd birthday. Widely considered to be one of the best drivers in the sport and a future world champion, Verstappen started the season in scintillating form and was inch perfect in his driving right up until the summer break.

He has not quite hit the same heights since Formula 1 returned in Belgium, but in fairness, that has been the result of bad luck and the Red Bull going backwards in terms of development compared to its rivals.

Nonetheless, going into next season, Verstappen is certain to be a major factor at the front of the grid. Given a competitive car, he will be in with a shout of winning his first world championship.

Since seeing off Daniel Ricciardo at Red Bull, Verstappen is the undisputed number one driver in Milton Keynes, with the team entirely built around him and his driving style. Understandably, the team are desperate for him to sign up to a long-term contract, but if they are still lagging behind Ferrari and Mercedes next season, he may start considering his other options.

The cause for optimism though comes in the form of Honda, Red Bull’s first-year engine supplier, which has made impressive progress this season. While Red Bull invariably had a top-quality chassis, they had been let down by their unreliable Renault engines in recent years. Therefore, if Honda can continue their upward trajectory, 2020 could prove Verstappen’s most successful season in Formula 1 thus far.

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