As the 2024 Formula 1 season nears its climax, the drivers’ championship might already belong to Max Verstappen, but the fight for the constructors’ crown is far from over. McLaren holds a narrow lead over Ferrari heading into the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, making this finale a high-stakes showdown. Here’s what McLaren and Ferrari need to clinch the coveted constructors’ title, along with Red Bull’s potential role in the outcome.
How Many Points Are Left in the Constructors’ Championship?
A total of 44 points are up for grabs in the season finale. To achieve this, a team would need:
- A one-two finish in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (43 points).
- An additional fastest lap point.
What McLaren Need to Do to Seal the Championship
With a 21-point lead over Ferrari, McLaren must focus on maximizing their performance to secure the title. Here’s the breakdown:
- Score 24 points to guarantee the championship, regardless of Ferrari’s results.
- Score 23 points, but only if Ferrari do not win the race.
- A Grand Prix victory (25 points) would automatically crown McLaren as champions.
- Even without a win, McLaren could achieve 24 points with combinations like:
- Second and seventh places.
- Third and fifth places.
If Ferrari underperform, McLaren could still win with fewer points.
What Ferrari Need to Overtake McLaren
For Ferrari to clinch the constructors’ championship, they must outperform McLaren significantly. Here’s what needs to happen:
- Ferrari must score at least 22 points and hope McLaren fails to score.
- If McLaren does score, Ferrari needs to:
- Have both cars finish ahead of McLaren’s drivers.
- Capitalize on any issues McLaren faces.
If Ferrari achieves the ideal result – a one-two finish plus the fastest lap bonus (44 points) – McLaren would need:
- A podium finish with the second car earning nine points to win.
- If McLaren’s second car finishes sixth or lower, Ferrari would take the title due to more race wins.
What Happened to Red Bull?
Red Bull, despite Max Verstappen’s dominant performance this season, is out of contention for the constructors’ championship. They are:
- 59 points behind McLaren with only 44 points available.
However, Red Bull can still influence the final standings:
- If Red Bull wins in Abu Dhabi, they would take 25 points off the table, leaving only 34 available for McLaren and Ferrari.
- In this scenario, McLaren would only need 13 points (equivalent to fifth and eighth) to secure the title.
Key Takeaways
- McLaren: A solid performance, even without a win, could seal the championship.
- Ferrari: Requires a near-perfect weekend and misfortune for McLaren.
- Red Bull: Out of contention but could impact the battle between McLaren and Ferrari.
