McLaren is on the verge of securing the Formula 1 constructors’ championship, with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix presenting the first opportunity for them to make their title defense certain mathematically. As the 17th round of the World championship, this weekend’s race in Baku marks a crucial point in the season, with McLaren holding a commanding 337-point lead going into the event.
If McLaren succeeds in clinching the title in Azerbaijan, they will achieve a new record for the earliest championship win in F1 history in terms of rounds remaining, surpassing the previous record set by Red Bull in 2023. To secure their victory, McLaren must outscore their closest competitors: Ferrari, Mercedes, and Red Bull.
Ferrari currently sits in second place, only 20 points ahead of Mercedes, with Red Bull trailing in fourth place by 41 points. For McLaren to ensure they cannot be caught by these teams, they need to achieve a specific margin of points over each competitor in the upcoming race.
While McLaren’s task is straightforward against Mercedes and Red Bull – outscoring them to eliminate their chances – stopping Ferrari from catching up requires a more substantial points advantage. McLaren must outscore Ferrari by nine points in Baku to secure their position as the undisputed leaders in the championship standings.
Regardless of the outcome in Azerbaijan, McLaren is well positioned to claim their 10th constructors’ championship title in history, placing them second on the all-time list behind Ferrari. This success would solidify McLaren’s legacy in Formula 1 and further establish their competitive prowess in the sport.
Formula 1 enthusiasts can catch all the action, including practice sessions, qualifying rounds, and the race itself, live on Sky’s Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle, offering a comprehensive viewing experience that includes access to over 100 TV channels along with complimentary subscriptions to Netflix and Discovery+.