With the Drivers’ Championship already decided after the recent Las Vegas race, there’s still plenty of drama left before the 2024 F1 season wraps up. Several F1 teams are still in the running to capitalize on this thrilling season, with the fight for the top spot in the 2024 F1 Constructors’ Championship heating up.
It all comes down to two F1 teams: McLaren and Ferrari. These two historic powerhouses of F1 are battling it out for the ultimate prize. Even Red Bull remains a dark horse in this race, but their hopes rest on Sergio Pérez delivering stellar performances in the final two F1 races of the season, along with some favorable results elsewhere.
For the teams on the grid, this championship is critical as it brings a substantial financial reward, giving them the resources to prepare more effectively for the upcoming season. It’s reported that Red Bull pocketed $140 million for winning in 2023.
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The Path for McLaren
The British team has stunned everyone with the performance of their car. Possibly the most competitive on the grid, their machine has allowed McLaren’s driver duo to lead the F1 standings. With just three races to go, their sole focus is on fending off Ferrari to avoid leaving empty-handed this year.
McLaren needs the following:
- They could clinch the title at the Qatar GP if they create a 26-point gap over Ferrari. This means they’d need a 1-2 or 1-3 finish. If a Ferrari driver wins the race, the championship will be decided in Abu Dhabi.
- Qatar’s F1 Sprint format complicates things, as it offers additional points. A worst-case scenario for McLaren would be scoring no points in the sprint while Ferrari secures a 1-2 finish, leaving only a 9-point gap heading into the final race.
Fun fact: The last time McLaren won the F1 Constructors’ Championship was in 1998.
The Path for Ferrari
The Italian Scuderia is determined to end the year on a high note. With Carlos Sainz set to leave and Lewis Hamilton joining for next F1 season, Ferrari is pushing hard to secure the funds needed to build a top-tier car.
In the Las Vegas race, Ferrari showed glimpses of their glory days under Mattia Binotto. Unfortunately, poor race strategy reared its ugly head again, triggering visible frustration from Charles Leclerc. A prime example was when Sainz was called into the pits, only to be told the team wasn’t ready for him. If Ferrari doesn’t get its act together, they could hand McLaren the title on a silver platter.
What Ferrari needs:
- A victory from either of their F1 drivers in Qatar to delay the championship decision until Abu Dhabi.
- Maximizing points in Qatar’s sprint race.
- Ferrari hasn’t won the Constructors’ Championship since 2008.
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