The F1 Constructors’ Championship can be determined on the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, with McLaren and Ferrari seeking to finish their lengthy look ahead to title success.
It seemed like Crimson Bull would romp away to a 3rd consecutive championship early within the season however an astonishing dip in kind has paved the way in which for his or her rivals.
McLaren seem to have taken benefit as they lead Ferrari by 21 factors going into the final race of 2024.
McLaren final gained the Constructors’ Championship in 1998, whereas Ferrari’s final title got here in 2008.
Sky Sports activities F1 appears to be like on the permutations forward of Sunday’s race on the Yas Marina Circuit at 1pm.
Why is the Constructors’ Championship so necessary?
It isn’t romantic, however the principle reply is: cash. Whereas the Drivers’ Championship carries extra status, the Constructors’ Championship is what dictates the distribution of Method 1’s appreciable prize pot.
The pot is 50 per cent of Method 1’s business rights income for every season, so the reported revenue of $3.2bn (£2.3bn) for 2023 would have resulted in an estimated fund of $1.6bn (£1.2bn).
After some bonuses are taken out of that, corresponding to Ferrari’s 5 per cent to recognise their contribution to the game’s world recognition, the remaining quantity is break up between all 10 groups, with the champions receiving an estimated 14 per cent, and the staff that comes final claiming six per cent.
Subsequently in 2023, winners Crimson Bull would have earned an estimated $140m (£106m), with every staff under them progressively receiving much less.
The distinction between every place in 2023 was an estimated £7m, which matches some method to explaining why the battles for midfield and the ultimate positions are simply as fiercely contested as these on the entrance.
The ultimate Constructors’ Championship positions additionally have an effect on the quantity of wind-tunnel time for the next season.
F1’s handicap system truly means in the event you win the title, you obtain the least quantity of wind-tunnel time, with extra time allowed the additional you go down the standings right down to tenth place.
*in the event you end within the prime 10
How McLaren can win F1 Constructors’ Championship at Abu Dhabi GP
A most of 44 factors might be scored in Abu Dhabi if a staff has a one-two and takes the bonus level for quickest lap of the race.
The maths for McLaren are easy. If Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri rating 24 factors, or extra, McLaren can be champions. If Ferrari don’t win the race, McLaren solely want to attain 13 factors.
Ought to each McLaren automobiles end within the prime 4 of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, that will assure the title. A victory for both automotive would additionally make sure the championship.
After all, if Ferrari will not be capable of get automobiles on the rostrum, it would make McLaren’s job loads simpler and so they may get away with a disappointing race themselves.
“What I can say is that we are in a position of going into the final race leading the championship because our two drivers have done an amazing job and this has delivered the points that when summed give us the leadership from the constructors’ point of view,” McLaren staff principal Andrea Stella stated.
“Lando has been the main contributor to put McLaren in this condition. While we look at what we can do better – and certainly pain and disappointment are the prevailing feelings on Lando’s side – at the same time we can only be thankful to what Lando has done for the team.
“We’re positive that this can give him much more dedication to have a robust race in Abu Dhabi and full the job that it was not attainable to finish in Qatar.”
How Ferrari can win F1 Constructors’ Championship at Abu Dhabi GP
Ferrari should rating at the least 22 factors to face an opportunity of successful the title. Realistically, Charles Leclerc or Carlos Sainz have to win the race, with the opposite driver being on the rostrum, to place some critical strain on McLaren.
Given McLaren’s 21-point lead, Ferrari have to outscore the Woking-based staff by 21 factors, in the event that they win the race, or 22 factors if they don’t.
Solely as soon as all season have Ferrari been in a position to try this, at america Grand Prix, the place they took a one-two, with the McLarens in fourth and fifth.
“I would prefer to be 21 points ahead than 21 points behind!” stated Ferrari staff principal Frederic Vasseur.
“But let’s see, I think on paper that the next one is probably a bit better for us also. Let’s fight until the last corner of the last lap.
“It is not a matter of strain, it is a matter of [needing] to do an excellent job and to be fast after which we’ll see. We have been capable of do [a] one-two some weekends throughout the season, [we will] attempt to do higher than this.
“But it’s true that even if [we] do a one-two they can be champions, but first the most important thing is to be focused on ourselves, not to start to think about what the others are doing and so [on] because then you are losing a little bit the pace of the weekend.”
What occurs if they’re degree on factors?
If McLaren and Ferrari are tied on factors, essentially the most wins in 2024 would resolve the title.
At the moment, each groups are on 5 victories. If McLaren win the race, they’re champions regardless. Nonetheless, there’s a situation Ferrari can outscore McLaren by 21 factors, which is the hole between the groups, and win the race, due to this fact win the Constructors’ Championship on countback.
If Ferrari outscore McLaren by 21 factors however don’t win the race, McLaren can be champions as they’ve extra second locations.
Who may have the higher hand in Abu Dhabi?
As anticipated, Las Vegas favoured Ferrari and Qatar suited McLaren. As for Abu Dhabi, it needs to be very shut because the monitor has a combination of corners.
There aren’t any super-high-speed corners although, which McLaren take pleasure in, however the closing sector is all about sluggish and medium velocity turns.
Ferrari have typically had the quickest automotive in a straight line, which can be useful on the Yas Marina Circuit because of its two lengthy consecutive straights, separated by a chicane.
It is going to doubtless come right down to which staff can optimise their set-up and get the tyres into the precise working window, with strain on the 4 drivers to ship when it issues most. Given the shut margins, that ought to assist McLaren.
Max Verstappen has gained the final 4 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, all from pole place, so Crimson Bull might be an element and Mercedes can be up there too on Lewis Hamilton’s closing weekend with the staff.
What else is left to play for on the Abu Dhabi GP?
Additional down the Constructors’ Championship, Alpine are solely 5 factors forward of Haas within the battle for sixth.
For Haas, they’re heading in the right direction to have one in every of their greatest campaigns in F1 since becoming a member of the game in 2016. In 2018, they completed fifth however Haas have been eighth or decrease in each different season.
Within the Drivers’ Championship, Norris is just eight factors forward of Leclerc within the battle for the runners-up spot behind world champion Verstappen.
All eyes can be on the Constructors’ Championship, although, and the way two of F1’s most historic and well-known groups can take care of the strain of a title decider.
Sky Sports activities F1’s stay Abu Dhabi GP schedule
Thursday December 5
11am: Drivers’ Press Convention
Friday December 6
5.45am: F1 Academy Observe
7am: F2 Observe
9am: Abu Dhabi GP Observe One (session begins at 9.30am)*
10.55am: F2 Qualifying
12.45pm: Abu Dhabi GP Observe Two (session begins at 1pm)*
2.30pm: F1 Academy Qualifying*
3.15pm: The F1 Present*
Saturday December 7
8.10am: F1 Academy Race One
10.15am: Abu Dhabi GP Observe Three (session begins at 10.30am)
12.10pm: F2 Dash Race
1.15pm: Abu Dhabi GP Qualifying build-up
2pm: ABU DHABI GP QUALIFYING*
4pm: F1 Academy: Race Two
5pm: Ted’s Qualifying Pocket book
Sunday December 8
7.10am: F1 Academy Race Three
9.20am: F2 Function Race
11.30am: Grand Prix Sunday: Abu Dhabi GP build-up
1pm: The ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX
3pm: Chequered Flag: Abu Dhabi GP response
4pm: Ted’s Pocket book
*additionally stay on Sky Sports activities Most important Occasion
Watch the ultimate race of the 2024 Method 1 season – the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – stay on Sky Sports activities F1, with Sunday’s race at 1pm. Get Sky Sports activities F1 or stream with NOW