The McLaren team go into this weekend’s unique ‘day-night’ Abu Dhabi Grand Prix believing they can prevent the runaway Red Bull express clinching the constructors’ world championship.
McLaren sporting director Sam Michael said differing track characteristics from one circuit to another could see rampant Red Bull’s advantage wiped out and give other teams a chance to win.
But he admitted it will be very difficult to catch them in the title race.
After four consecutive wins, including Sunday’s comprehensive demonstration of supremacy from defending champion Sebastian Vettel in India, Red Bull sit on top of both championships after 17 of this year’s 20 races.
Vettel has 240 points to lead nearest rival, two-time champion Fernando Alonso of Ferrari, by 13 points with three races remaining.
In the teams’ title race, Red Bull lead by 91 points with 407 ahead of Ferrari on 316 and McLaren on 306 – and will take the title if they leave Abu Dhabi with a lead of 86 points, or 87 if a McLaren driver wins the race.
This allows for many different permutations for title success, but the minimum for Red Bull is to finish first and eighth, or second and third, to take the title.
Michael, however, believes there is a good chance that McLaren or Ferrari can postpone any celebrations in the paddock on Sunday night.
“The performance can swing from one track to another by a couple of tenths,” he explained.
“There are two or three-tenths in terms of qualifying and, if you have that performance from (starting on) the front row, then you have a better chance.
“So if no one upgraded cars, there would still be a reasonable chance you can have a go at (Red Bull).”
McLaren have demonstrated competitive pace and consistency in recent races, but will need to find some additional performance to threaten to wreck Red Bull’s dream of claiming a third consecutive constructors’ championship and then seeing Vettel crowned as the youngest triple champion of all time.
If McLaren finish Sunday’s race in the points, they will set a new record of 56 consecutive points finishes – moving one ahead of Ferrari.
Vettel has made a record-breaking impact on Formula One and revelled in overcoming all challenges including clocking up 205 consecutive laps as race leader since taking charge of the Singapore Grand Prix on lap 23 on September 23.
He is just 100 laps behind Italian Alberto Ascari’s all-time record and could, if he keeps dominating the sport, overhaul it later this month at the US Grand Prix in Texas.
This Sunday’s contest in the twilight event is run over 55 laps from bright sunshine into the night, with falling temperatures, and could be a major examination of his and Red Bull’s ability to continue performing at such a high level.
