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A new generation of F1 drivers will be seen in the F1 paddocks, after the silliest of silly seasons in the sport in a very long time. Such a churning will, of course, throw a few new faces and shuffle around the relatively greenhorn drivers.
With only 8 drivers retaining their seats from 2018, three debut racers have got their big break. Last year saw the debut of Charles Leclerc who has delivered on his promise and was easily the rookie of the season. He has a Ferrari to drive next year for his brilliant drives in the midfield for Alfa Romeo Sauber.
Similarly, this year gives a chance to Lando Norris, George Russell and Alexander Albon to showcase their talent, although most probably not at the sharp end of the grid. Interestingly, all of them will be driving for a customer team as well as different engines - Renault, Mercedes, and Honda.
All have chosen their racing numbers too with Norris choosing 4, Russell 63 and Albon 23. Here's a brief look at their profiles who incidentally were all born in Britain!
Lando Norris - McLaren Renault
Lando Norris was the GP2 runner-up in 2018 but has been F3 champion a year before and Formula Renault champion prior to that. Having driven various tests for McLaren he was on the radar of Red Bull who were interested in hand him a debut with Toro Rosso. McLaren avoided that situation by handing him a drive in place of Belgian Stoffel Vandoorne.
Norris will be partnering Carlos Sainz, giving McLaren its first British-Spanish driver pairing since 2007. Just 19, Norris is also the most digitally savvy driver to enter F1 this year; with a cheeky and irreverent persona on the lines of double world champion Fernando Alonso.
George Russell - Williams Racing
The third British driver on the grid after Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris, George Russell is the most decorated of three debutants. He has made it to F1 after becoming the GP3 and Formula 2 champion and is confidence personified ahead of his maiden F1 campaign. When asked about his preparation and if he feared anyone on the grid, he replies
“I feel confident. I’ve come off the back of two amazing years and I’m ready for the challenge. Obviously I’m a rookie, I’m not going to go out there and do anything stupid. But I feel like this is my time and I’m ready to do the business."
Russell has had previous runs in F1 as he was the Mercedes junior driver and has learnt a lot by being in the team's ecosystem during race weekends.
The 20-year old counts current world champion Lewis Hamilton as his inspiration and forms one half of a very exciting line-up at Williams. His progress will be very interesting to follow.
Alexander Albon - Toro Rosso Honda
For a long time, the seats at Toro Rosso were up for grabs with no certain favourite who looked to have made a solid claim for the drive in 2019. His father was a racing driver and Albon becomes the second person who will be driving under the Thai flag.
He replaces the New Zealander, Brendon Hartley. The 22-year old Thai-British driver, a lifelong fan of 9-time motorcycle champion Valentino Rossi, took his permanent F1 driving number 23, as a tribute to the legend.
Having him on the grid means all top 3 drivers from Formula 2 in 2018 have graduated to seats in F1. Albon needs to watch his back as the Red Bull sister team. Toro Rosso has had a lot of driver changes over the last couple of years with non-performers being dropped mid-season not an uncommon occurrence.
He is a tough cookie though, having had Charles Leclerc as his team-mate and competed quite tightly with him.
