2019 German Grand Prix

Lore & Background

The race was won by Max Verstappen after starting second in a dramatic wet race. Pole-sitter Lewis Hamilton led the race until lap 29 when he crashed behind the safety car, losing the lead and his front wing as well as receiving a penalty for entering the pit lane on the wrong side of a safety bollard. Whilst behind the final safety car Daniil Kvyat and Lance Stroll switched to dry tyres before anyone else, allowing them to finish an unexpected third and fourth respectively, with the former scoring his final podium of his F1 career. Robert Kubica scored his final point in the sport with tenth place for Williams, which would also be the team's only point of their 2019 season.

In Their Own Story

Rain lashed the Hockenheim circuit, turning the asphalt into a treacherous mirror. Inside the cockpit, Hamilton fought a losing battle with grip as his tires shredded against the slick surface. Radio messages warned of Verstappen's climb through the field on fresh rubber, but Hamilton held firm, sliding through corners and managing blistering tire degradation. Every lap became a gamble; one lock-up could end his season. He drove not to win, but to survive, watching the gap shrink while his car danced dangerously on the edge of aquaplaning.

Reader's Guide

The race was scheduled for 67 laps but reduced to 64 after three additional laps behind the safety car at the start. A standing start was used after a wet-race rule was employed for the first time. Key moments included multiple safety cars, a virtual safety car, and numerous spins and crashes. Valtteri Bottas retired on lap 56 after a spin into the tyre barrier. Charles Leclerc retired after beaching his car in the gravel at turn 17. Lewis Hamilton finished 9th after a 50.3-second pit stop and a five-second penalty. The top five finishers were Verstappen, Hülkenberg, Bottas, Albon, and Hamilton before penalties; final order is not fully detailed in the source.

Did You Know?

• As of 2026, this is the last German Grand Prix to be held in Formula One, as the race was not contracted for the 2020 season and beyond.
• It is the last Formula One race to be held at Hockenheimring.
• It is the last time a Russian driver stood on an F1 podium.
• Mercedes ran a different livery in tribute to their 125th year of competing in motorsport and their 200th F1 start.