The F1 Constructors’ Championship will likely be determined on the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, with McLaren and Ferrari trying to finish their lengthy watch for title success.
It seemed like Pink 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 received the Constructors’ Championship in 1998, whereas Ferrari’s final title got here in 2008.
Sky Sports activities F1 seems to be on the permutations forward of Sunday’s race on the Yas Marina Circuit at 1pm.
Why is the Constructors’ Championship so essential?
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 Components 1’s appreciable prize pot.
The pot is 50 per cent of Components 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 international recognition, the remaining quantity is cut up between all 10 groups, with the champions receiving an estimated 14 per cent, and the crew that comes final claiming six per cent.
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Charles Leclerc says Ferrari will give all of it to compete with McLaren for the Constructors’ Championship because it goes all the way down to the ultimate race in Abu Dhabi
Subsequently in 2023, winners Pink Bull would have earned an estimated $140m (£106m), with every crew beneath them regularly receiving much less.
The distinction between every place in 2023 was an estimated £7m, which works some technique 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 when you win the title, you obtain the least quantity of wind-tunnel time, with extra time allowed the additional you go down the standings all the way down to tenth place.
*when you end within the prime 10
How McLaren can win F1 Constructors’ Championship at Abu Dhabi GP
A most of 44 factors could be scored in Abu Dhabi if a crew 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 will likely be champions. If Ferrari don’t win the race, McLaren solely want to attain 13 factors.
Ought to each McLaren vehicles end within the prime 4 of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, that may assure the title. A victory for both automotive would additionally make sure the championship.
After all, if Ferrari are usually not capable of get vehicles on the rostrum, it’ll make McLaren’s job quite a bit simpler and so they may get away with a disappointing race themselves.
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Watch the second Lando Norris obtained a 10-second stop-and-go penalty within the Qatar Grand Prix
“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 crew principal Andrea Stella mentioned.
“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 may give him much more willpower to have a powerful race in Abu Dhabi and full the job that it was not potential 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 severe strain on McLaren.
Given McLaren’s 21-point lead, Ferrari have to outscore the Woking-based crew 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 the US Grand Prix, the place they took a one-two, with the McLarens in fourth and fifth.
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McLaren’s Zak Brown gatecrashed Ferrari’s crew photograph after Carlos Sainz’s win so Sainz determined to return the favour
“I would prefer to be 21 points ahead than 21 points behind!” mentioned Ferrari crew 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 a superb job and to be fast after which we’ll see. We had 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.”
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Watch future team-mates Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc go wheel-to-wheel within the Qatar GP Dash
What occurs if they’re stage on factors?
If McLaren and Ferrari are tied on factors, probably the most wins in 2024 would determine the title.
At the moment, each groups are on 5 victories. If McLaren win the race, they’re champions regardless. Nevertheless, there’s a state of affairs 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.
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Sky Sports activities F1’s Ted Kravitz displays on a dramatic race on the Qatar Grand Prix
Who can have the higher hand in Abu Dhabi?
As anticipated, Las Vegas favoured Ferrari and Qatar suited McLaren. As for Abu Dhabi, it must be very shut because the observe has a mix 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 pace turns.
Ferrari have typically had the quickest automotive in a straight line, which will likely be useful on the Yas Marina Circuit due to its two lengthy consecutive straights, separated by a chicane.
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Sky Sports activities Information’ Craig Slater offers perception into what to anticipate from a blockbuster F1 season finale in Abu Dhabi
It can possible come all the way down to which crew can optimise their set-up and get the tyres into the proper 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 received the final 4 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, all from pole place, so Pink Bull could possibly be an element and Mercedes will likely be up there too on Lewis Hamilton’s closing weekend with the crew.
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 barely eight factors forward of Leclerc within the battle for the runners-up spot behind world champion Verstappen.
All eyes will likely be on the Constructors’ Championship, although, and the way two of F1’s most historic and well-known groups can cope with the strain of a title decider.
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Ted Kravitz studies that Esteban Ocon will likely be changed by Jack Doohan for the Abu Dhabi GP
Sky Sports activities F1’s reside Abu Dhabi GP schedule
Thursday December 5
11am: Drivers’ Press Convention
Friday December 6
5.45am: F1 Academy Follow
7am: F2 Follow
9am: Abu Dhabi GP Follow One (session begins at 9.30am)*
10.55am: F2 Qualifying
12.45pm: Abu Dhabi GP Follow 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 Follow 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 Characteristic 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 reside on Sky Sports activities Foremost Occasion
Watch the ultimate race of the 2024 Components 1 season – the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – reside on Sky Sports activities F1, with Sunday’s race at 1pm. Get Sky Sports activities F1 or stream with NOW
