Whereas Max Verstappen is on the verge of sealing the drivers’ crown, the constructors’ title race might attain an thrilling climax within the remaining three rounds of the 2024 Method 1 season.
Verstappen’s excellent win on the Sao Paulo Grand Prix all however ended Lando Norris’ title problem, but it surely was a distinct story within the constructors’ race, with the Dutchman’s Pink Bull Racing clearly trailing leaders McLaren and No. Second place Ferrari.
The competitors has waxed and waned all through the season, with Mercedes even threatening to hitch the chase, taking three wins from 4 races in the summertime however in the end failing.
Now it comes all the way down to a season-ending tripleheader, beginning below the lights in Las Vegas, then heading right into a dash weekend in Qatar and ending in Abu Dhabi, with each recreation broadcast reside Sky Sports activities F1.
It might need been a disappointing weekend for McLaren general in Brazil, however they have been nonetheless capable of lengthen their lead over Ferrari within the constructors’ championship.
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Max Verstappen began from seventeenth to win in treacherous circumstances on the chaotic Sao Paulo Grand Prix, whereas Alpine’s Esteban Ocon and Pierre Pierre Gasly unexpectedly secured one other podium spot
Norris took a one-two lead with teammate Oscar Piastri within the dash and completed sixth and eighth respectively within the race, extending the Woking workforce’s benefit to 36 factors.
Charles Leclerc leads the race forward of Norris, however Carlos Sainz’s retirement means McLaren loses the lead in Sao Paulo on Saturday and Sunday develop.
Verstappen’s sensible victory within the rain left Pink Bull 49 factors away from third-placed McLaren.
What factors can be utilized?
Every workforce can earn as much as 44 factors in a daily weekend race, with 25 factors awarded to the winner, 18 factors to the second-place driver, and extra factors for the quickest lap.
That is the factors on supply on the season finale in Las Vegas and Abu Dhabi, however in Qatar every workforce additionally will get 15 factors, eight of which go to the dash winner and 7 to second place.
It is value remembering that even when a workforce is ready to obtain the spectacular feat of a one-two or double one-two on a dash weekend, it is unlikely their lead will lengthen to the complete extent, as there is a good probability another person will too Will rating.
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Lando Norris took his first dash victory at Interlagos forward of McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri, whereas title rival Max Verstappen (Max Verstappen) completed third
It is unlikely that McLaren or some other workforce will seal the title in Las Vegas as they should end 104 factors forward of their rivals on the finish of the weekend. Even when McLaren takes two factors and Ferrari leaves Vegas empty-handed, the hole continues to be simply 80 factors forward of the Qatar Grand Prix.
The extra lifelike risk and purpose for McLaren is to forestall the champions from taking place to the wire in Abu Dhabi, and to realize that they have to be 45 factors forward of their rivals going into the ultimate spherical. This implies they lengthen their present benefit by 9 factors over the subsequent two video games.
Nevertheless, neutrals will undoubtedly wish to see the combat proceed till the tip of the season.
If issues do get tight, it is value remembering {that a} tie for first or second shall be selected the underside line of which workforce has gained extra video games this season. Pink Bull has eight wins, whereas McLaren and Ferrari have 5 wins every.
If two groups have the identical variety of wins, which workforce has probably the most second place finishes, and so forth.
Why is the Constructors’ Championship so necessary?
It isn’t romantic, however the primary reply is: cash. Whereas the Drivers’ Championship enjoys higher status, the Constructors’ Championship determines the distribution of Method 1’s appreciable prize cash.
The prize cash accounts for 50% of Method 1’s industrial rights income every season, leading to reported income of $3.2bn (£2.3bn) in 2023 and projected funding of $1.6bn (£1.2bn).
After deducting some bonuses, resembling Ferrari’s 5% in recognition of their contribution to the game’s international reputation, the remaining prize cash shall be divided equally between all 10 groups, with the profitable workforce receiving an estimated 14%. , and the workforce that in the end wins the championship receives a 14% bonus.
Consequently, winners Pink Bull will obtain an estimated $140m (£106m) by 2023, with every workforce under them receiving progressively smaller quantities.
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Sky F1’s Martin Brundle explains how McLaren went from a poor begin to the 2023 season to now main Pink Bull Racing
The distinction between every place in 2023 is estimated to be £7m, which works some technique to explaining why competitors for midfield and even remaining positions is as fierce as it’s up entrance.
Nevertheless, this yr particularly, McLaren and Ferrari have extra than simply cash at stake as they search to finish prolonged title droughts.
Ferrari final gained the constructors’ championship in 2008, whereas McLaren final gained in 1998.
These are two of probably the most storied groups within the sport, each keen to finish the dominance of Pink Bull and Mercedes since Ferrari final gained the title.
There is no such thing as a doubt that McLaren workforce principal Andrea Stella and Ferrari workforce principal Frederic Vasseur have carried out effectively since taking up their respective groups forward of the 2023 season, however have been awarded A trophy would add vital motivation to considered one of them.
Why is Pink Bull such an enormous outsider?
These not following the 2024 F1 season could also be questioning why they’re third within the constructors’ championship and are thought-about apparent on condition that Pink Bull has eight race wins, whereas McLaren and Ferrari have 5 every. of outsiders.
The truth that all eight wins have come in opposition to Verstappen holds a clue, however even that statistic would not absolutely clarify the extraordinary struggles of his team-mate Sergio Perez.
Perez began his season in very constant type, ending within the prime 5 in every of the primary six races and ending on the rostrum 4 occasions. However at that time, RB20 was nonetheless clearly the chief within the area.
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Sergio Perez was given a five-second penalty for beginning over the road on the Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix
Over the subsequent 15 races, Perez’s greatest end was sixth, whereas he completed seventh 4 occasions and eighth 3 times.
Contemplating Pink Bull’s brutal therapy of its drivers, it is stunning that the Mexican nonetheless holds his personal with three races remaining.
His type has solely deteriorated not too long ago, scoring simply two factors from the previous 5 grands prix and exiting qualifying early in three consecutive races.
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Last lap drama as Ferrari win 2-2 as Lando Norris is handed a five-second penalty after operating off the observe on the US Grand Prix, Max Verstappen finishes third
Sadly for Pink Bull, they can not belief Perez to attain any factors within the remaining three rounds, that means that even when Verstappen wins all three races, they will not be capable of catch McLaren. required factors.
In distinction, McLaren and Ferrari’s success relies on each drivers constantly racking up large factors.
Oscar Piastri continued his spectacular improvement in his second F1 season, taking two wins and turning into a thorn within the aspect of his team-mate’s championship problem at occasions.
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Karun Chandhok seems to be again at Azerbaijan Grand Prix and finds out how Oscar Piastri gained
Even along with his current dip in type, the Australian has nonetheless made a helpful factors contribution that may very well be essential in getting McLaren throughout the road.
At Ferrari, the outgoing Carlos Sainz has led some to wonder if the Italian workforce will remorse its choice to interchange him with Hamilton subsequent yr, given his performances this yr leaving little alternative between him and Leclerc.
Whereas Stella and Vasseur can rely on their two drivers to ship outcomes virtually each weekend, until Perez’s type improves as dramatically as he has declined, Pink Bull will not stand an opportunity.
Which workforce is greatest fitted to the remaining tracks?
The ultimate three tracks every have completely different traits and can possible end in a distinct pecking order.
On paper this in all probability would not make a lot sense, Ferrari needs to be very robust in Las Vegas and success will largely rely on efficiency within the drag strip and straight-line pace.
Ferrari’s automotive corners effectively in low-speed corners due to its wonderful mechanical grip, and the engine appears very highly effective outdoors corners. These traits performed an enormous function of their dominant two-on-one efficiency finally month’s United States Grand Prix.
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Watch Charles Leclerc create gorgeous pole laps amid the glitz and glamor of Las Vegas from 2023
Nevertheless, Qatar’s Losail Worldwide Circuit is nearly the precise reverse of Vegas in that it options largely high-speed corners, making good aerodynamics prone to be a key factor.
McLaren carried out effectively in Qatar final yr, taking a double podium, whereas Piastri gained the dash race. Their 2024 machine continues to be the perfect car in terms of cornering at excessive speeds, so they need to have the benefit right here.
Abu Dhabi is a stopover between Las Vegas and Qatar, so McLaren and Ferrari needs to be comparatively evenly matched on the finish of the season.
The Pink Bulls’ place in all this is determined by whether or not St. Paul’s is a one-off or if he truly has a breakthrough that returns the RB20 to type.
Ignoring the moist race at Interlagos, Saturday’s dash was dry and Verstappen had loads of tempo regardless of trailing Leclerc for a lot of the shortened race, however the Dutchman did not Have any benefit like Sunday.
Whether or not or not Pink Bull is really again on tempo, the gradual corners in Las Vegas and Abu Dhabi have plagued the RB20 at occasions this season, making each occasions doubtlessly difficult.
Method 1 will present the Las Vegas Grand Prix reside on Sky Sports activities F1 from November 22 to 24, with Max Verstappen anticipated to take the title. Watch the last three F1 races and more with a NOW Sports Monthly Membership – no contract, cancel anytime
