The fight for second place in the Constructors’ Championship is reaching a thrilling climax, with McLaren and Ferrari locked in a tense battle. McLaren, currently 24 points ahead of their Italian rivals, heads into the final two rounds in Qatar and Abu Dhabi as favourites. However, a resurgent Mercedes has thrown a spanner in the works, complicating Ferrari’s pursuit.
Ferrari had hoped to make significant inroads in Las Vegas, but the Scuderia’s third and fourth-place finishes, courtesy of Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc, left them falling further behind McLaren. The papaya team’s lead now stands at 608 to 584, putting them in a strong position to seal second place. A solid showing at Losail, where McLaren’s MCL38 is expected to thrive, could allow them to close the deal. A 21-point margin over Ferrari in Qatar would all but secure their spot, making any Ferrari comeback at Yas Marina nearly impossible.
Mercedes, meanwhile, has emerged as the unpredictable force in this battle. After a lacklustre stretch post-summer break, the Silver Arrows roared back to life in Las Vegas with a one-two finish from George Russell and Lewis Hamilton. This surprise victory marked Mercedes’ first win since August and reignited speculation about their potential to shake up the standings in the final races.
Their Las Vegas triumph directly impacted Ferrari’s efforts, limiting the Scuderia’s points haul and indirectly aiding McLaren. Mercedes’ performance raises the question of whether their resurgence is a one-off or the start of a late-season push that could disrupt Ferrari’s faint hopes of overtaking McLaren.
Amidst this, Max Verstappen remains a wildcard. The newly crowned four-time Drivers’ Champion has shown no signs of slowing down, making it clear he’s still motivated to win. While Red Bull have long since secured the Constructors’ Championship, Verstappen could influence the battle for second by scooping up podiums or wins, further restricting the points available to McLaren and Ferrari.
Qatar’s Losail circuit sets the stage for what could be a decisive weekend. McLaren head into the race buoyed by their car’s suitability for the track and memories of Oscar Piastri’s Sprint Race win at the same venue in 2023. With both a full Grand Prix and a Sprint Race on the schedule, the papaya squad have the opportunity to end Ferrari’s challenge early.
For Ferrari, the task is clear but daunting. They must keep the gap to McLaren within 45 points heading into Abu Dhabi to maintain a chance. Anything less, and McLaren’s second-place finish will be a formality. Ferrari’s hopes rest on flawless performances from Sainz and Leclerc and a slip-up from McLaren.
With Mercedes rediscovering their form and Verstappen poised to make his presence felt, the battle for second in the Constructors’ standings remains finely poised. McLaren may hold the upper hand, but in a season as unpredictable as this, nothing is guaranteed. The next chapter unfolds in Losail, where the balance of power could shift once again.
