Briatore believes "five or six" drivers would have won Hamilton's 2019 F1 title

Flavio Briatore insists "five or six" drivers would have won Lewis Hamilton 2019 World championship had been behind the wheel of the Mercedes car. The British driver claimed his sixth world championship trophy in a year when Mercedes dominated in more or less every race prior to the summer break.

Hamilton's Abu Dhabi victory was a summary of the 2019 season as a whole. He cruised the chequered flag and by the end of the race, had nobody near him as he wrapped up the decade. Moving into the next decade and Hamilton will be trying to beat Michael Schumacher's elusive seven world title tally.

“Mercedes is an invincible battleship. At least five or six drivers, including Alonso, would have won the title with their 2019 car. But I take no credit from Hamilton because you still have to beat the teammate at your side," the former Renault boss told Autosport magazine.

Ferrari stuttered and stumbled through their 2019 campaign. Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel had the odd falling out. Briatore, who once had his own drivers to manage, gives his own advice on how to manage the duo for the 2020 season.

“It’s right that Leclerc and Vettel are on equal terms, but after five races Ferrari will have to decide who to bet on," he added.