Pilots and rule changes for 2019 Red Bull Air Race World Championship

• The full 2018 lineup returns to resume the battle. With the Czech Republic’s Martin Šonka defending his 2018 title at 370 km/h among 14 of the world’s best pilots – all experienced Master Class contenders – this season is shaping up to be incredibly tight. 

2018 Master Class PilotsCristian Bolton, Cristian Bolton Racing (CHI)
Mika Brageot, #11RACING team Eyetime (FRA)
Kirby Chambliss, Team Chambliss (USA)
Matthias Dolderer, Matthias Dolderer Racing (GER)
Michael Goulian, Team Goulian (USA)
Matt Hall, Matt Hall Racing (AUS)
Nicolas Ivanoff, Team Hamilton (FRA)
Petr Kopfstein, Team Spielberg (CZE)
François Le Vot, FLV Racing Team 12 (FRA)
Pete McLeod, Cashback World Racing Team (CAN)
Yoshihide Muroya, Team Falken (JPN)
Ben Murphy, Blades Racing Team (GBR)
Martin Šonka, Red Bull Team Šonka (CZE)
Juan Velarde, Team Velarde (ESP)

• Among the rule changes is a revision of the points scheme. For the first time since 2010, points will be awarded in Qualifying: three points for the fastest, two for second place, and one for third. In addition, pilots will continue to receive Race Day points according to their final placement, but the allotment has changed, and bonus points will be added for advancing through the rounds (five points for advancement to the Round of 8 and three points for advancing to the Final 4). Given that the 2018 World Champion has been decided by five points or less in the past two seasons, these extra scoring opportunities could be crucial, and the new scheme is sure to shake up strategies. 

Qualifying
1st: 3pts / 2nd: 2pts / 3rd: 1pt

Race
1st: 25pts / 2nd: 22pts / 3rd: 20pts / 4th: 18pts / 5th: 14pts / 6th: 13pts / 7th: 12pts / 8th: 11pts / 9th: 5pts / 10th: 4pts / 11th: 3pts / 12th: 2pts / 13th: 1pt / 14th: 0

• Another key rule change for the Master Class pertains to Exceeding Maximum Load Factor, particularly the “Over G” penalty. Last season, going over 10G for 0.6 seconds resulted in a two-second penalty for Master Class pilots, while reaching 12G was an automatic “DNF” (Did Not Finish) for the run. In 2019, a one-second Over G penalty will be incurred if a pilot reaches 11G, while reaching 12G will again result in an automatic DNF. 

• While the pilots remain the same, there are notable changes within the teams. For example, Peter Conway, who helped take Yoshihide Muroya to the 2017 World Championship, becomes the new technician for Kirby Chambliss(USA). Meanwhile, Juan Velarde (ESP) has signed Manuela Rodríguez Marote as coach and psychologist, while Nicolas Ivanoff (FRA) has recruited tactician Marius Heise, who worked for the late 2008 World Champion Hannes Arch. Another previous member of Arch’s team, Werner Wolfrum, joins Pete McLeod (CAN) as tactician. And Mark Travner, who contributed to the campaign of now-retired Peter Podlunšek, will be the tactician for Petr Kopfstein (CZE), whose team is seeing a reorganization in the responsibilities of several continuing members.