Renault:
Last year, Renault had to use the 2006-based car because they were finding a main sponsor. Despite that, it was such a superb season for them, when they added 8 podium trophies to their collection. And in this year, it is such another huge development for them when they are due to partner with Volvo Motorsport. Also, they signed 2 new drivers after Alonso moved to Mercedes and Hulkenberg joined Jaguar. They are Pérez, who was unhappy that his teammate then, Vandoorne, beat him in 2018, and Sainz, who was agreed to loan to Renault by Red Bull Racing as Toro Rosso decided to leave F1 in January 2019. With both new, experienced drivers, can Renault fight consistently for a podium, or even a win?
McLaren:
In 2018, McLaren first partnered with Renault with 2 enthusiastic drivers: Perez and Vandoorne. But both of them left the team after the 2018 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix for different reasons: for Vandoorne, it was due to the team's inconsistency; and Perez joined Renault as he was beaten by his teammate. However, in 2019, McLaren fixed some major problems, and their car is expected to be fighting for the podium position more often than in 2018. Also, they have all-returnee line-ups: Hamilton and Magnussen. Will McLaren be the 'dark horse' this season?
Williams:
Martini terminated their partnership with Williams after the 2018 Brazilian Grand Prix. Moreover, Mercedes also stopped being their engine supplier to focus on developing their factory team, which might make them be the backmarkers this season. However, people are much less skeptical about their performance when they've just re-formed their partnership with BMW, after Sauber, with whom they partnered in 2018, was half-bought by Alfa Romeo. Can they fight with Renault and McLaren this season?
Lexus Force India:
After a slight downfall in 2018, Force India were on the verge of being the backmarkers this season. However, they soon formed a new partnership with Lexus, who will bring more sponsorship money to develop their car. Also, they have a new driver: after disappointed with his 2018 car, Wehrlein left the team to join Haas F1 Team, and Sergey Sirotkin is selected to replace the German driver's seat. Can the Russian debutant and his teammate Esteban Ocon fight for points consistently?
Haas:
With a worse-than-bad season when Haas only scored 6 points, both Magnussen and Leclerc left the team to drive for McLaren and Alfa Romeo Sauber respectively. Therefore, it is debated if they can do better this season with the returnee Grosjean and the young, talented Wehrlein, who drove for Force India last season.
(To be continued)