McLaren is one step away from the constructors' title, a milestone that has been missing from Woking since 1998. After a difficult weekend in Las Vegas, which ended with a modest sixth place for Lando Norris and a seventh for Oscar Piastri, the British team arrives at the Qatar Grand Prix with the possibility of closing the game with a race to spare. With a 24-point advantage over Ferrari and 103 still up for grabs, the challenge is far from certain, but the Lusail circuit could prove favorable to the technical characteristics of the MCL38.
A title for three, but in Qatar only McLaren could win it
Despite the Ferrari have shortened the detachment in Las Vegas, the Maranello team has no chance of winning the title in Qatar, regardless of the results. The only goal for Leclerc and Sainz will be to postpone the challenge to the final round in Abu Dhabi, trying to further reduce the gap to McLaren.
As for Red Bull, the Milton Keynes team is officially out of the title race if it fails to recover at least 9 points to McLaren and at the same time lose no more than 15 points to Ferrari. A complicated combination, considering that the RB20 has shown clear limitations in recent races.
McLaren title combinations
To mathematically secure its ninth constructors' title in Qatar, McLaren must gain at least 20 points on Ferrari and not lose more than 9 to Red Bull. In other words, the team will have to aim for a perfect performance, making the most of both the Sprint Race and Sunday's race. However, the title cannot be decided at the end of the Sprint Race, as the points up for grabs in the main race could still change the balance.
In the event of a draw in the final standings, the title would still go to McLaren thanks to the greater number of second places obtained so far (10 against 3). This element gives the Woking team a strategic advantage, but it remains essential to avoid missteps.
A World Cup that has been missing for more than 25 years
McLaren has been missing the constructors' title for 26 years, when Mika Hakkinen and David Coulthard led the team to the top of the world in 1998. Now, leading the chase is a young and determined pair, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri who have shown great consistency throughout the season, despite some setbacks. In Las Vegas, the team lost 12 points to Ferrari, demonstrating that even a small mistake can turn everything around.
McLaren CEO Zak Brown stressed the importance of staying focused until the end: “A 24-point lead can vanish in a single weekend. We will take nothing for granted and focus on each session, without thinking too far ahead.”
The verdict will come in Qatar?
The Qatar Grand Prix represents a historic opportunity for McLaren, but also a test of nerves. With 24 points to manage and the chance to close the game out this weekend, the British team is called upon to do what could bring a constructors' title back to Woking after more than two decades. Ferrari has no chance of closing the game in its favor, while Red Bull must cling to an unlikely combination to stay in the race.
Will they succeed or will everything be postponed to Abu Dhabi?
