Well, its been a while hasn't it.
Last time I posted, Force India had just gone into administration the day before. I waited to see how it would all pan out, and there goes 2 years
Then the forum went down. Now my hours at work have changed and the forum is back, I should hopefully be more consistent with this.
So what did we miss?
2018After Hungary, the Top 3 where as follows, with Magnussen extending his lead to 20 points:
Magnussen: 183
Ocon: 163
Pérez: 162
However, a double 1-2 by the brand new Racing Point Force India team would see Magnussen drop to 3rd.
(Top 3 After Italy):
Ocon: 206
Pérez: 205
Magnussen: 203
Ocon & Pérez's rivalry would result in the two colliding in the next race in Singapore, but Ocon comes off worse and retires, giving Pérez the championship lead. Magnussen then finishes ahead of both Racing Points in Russia, tying the score with Pérez but leading on countback.
(Top 5 after Russia):
Magnussen: 227 (3 wins, 5 2nds)
Pérez: 227 (3 wins, 3 2nds)
Ocon: 221
Leclerc: 185
Gasly: 162
However the championship fight soon fizzles out. Both Ocon & Magnussen get disqualified in the US Grand Prix, giving Pérez a solid lead, along with his win in Japan a fortnight prior.
(Top 5 after US):
Pérez: 277
Ocon: 236
Magnussen: 227
Gasly: 186
Leclerc: 185
The last 3 races are all won by Leclerc, with Leclerc winning 5 out of the last 7 races, with the other 2 being retirements. However, Leclerc was too far behind, and had too many retirements, to make a real championship challenge, missing out on even 2nd place by 2 points.
No other driver is very consistent in the last 3 races, giving the trophy to
Peréz .
With the original Force India excluded, Haas take the constructors by 19 points, despite Leclerc's late surge for Sauber.
Final Standings for 2018: