With Formula 2 heading to Abu Dhabi, there’s still much to be decided under the dessert lights – with the Teams’ Championship taking centre stage. And whilst Felipe Drugovich has already claimed the crown in the Drivers’ Championship, he’ll still play a vital role in the weekend’s proceedings, heading up MP Motorsport’s charge to the Teams’ Championship alongside Clément Novalak, with the Dutch team currently leading the standings.
But facing them will be not one, but two teams. ART Grand Prix currently stand on 281 points – the exact same total as MP Motorsport – and are hoping that Théo Pourchaire can produce a headline performance to elevate the team’s chances. And with Frederik Vesti claiming a pair of second places at Monza, his positive momentum will be an encouragement for the French squad.
Carlin Racing lie 23 points back from both MP & ART, but still remain competitive. Both Liam Lawson & Logan Sargeant have claimed victories this year, and even shared the podium at Silverstone – showing the potential of the team for the finale. They’ll both be ready to try claim Carlin’s first Teams’ Championship since 2018, also claimed at Abu Dhabi.
With all 3 of the teams remaining in contention, here are the ways in which all 3 teams can claim the Teams’ Championship…
MP Motorsport
MP Motorsport hold a slight advantage in the title race, coming into Abu Dhabi leading over ART – though both remain on the same number of points, 281. If MP are to become Teams’ Champions, they must ensure that they outscore ART, and that Carlin do not score 24 points more than them. With many mathematical permutations, there is no easy answer of how the team can secure this title – however with 5 victories and 10 podiums to their name, if MP keep consistent then they’ll be in with a shout.
ART Grand Prix
The same story applies here for ART Grand Prix – also remaining on 281 points. If they are to become the Teams’ Champions, they must outscore MP directly, and not be outscored by Carlin by 24 points. A very simple statistic to remember, and the same as MP motorsport.
Carlin Racing
Carlin have the hardest job of all 3 teams, coming into the weekend 23 points adrift. The aim for them is simple – outscore both MP & ART by 24 points. With 5 victories and 12 podiums so far, Lawson & Sargeant know how to mix it at the fine end, so they’ll be sure to give it everything – and this could well prove enough for the title. It’ll be closely fought, but as long as they score 24 points more, they’ll be champions.
What if there is a tie?
If there’s a tie in the standings, it goes back to the number of victories that each team’s taken across the course of the year – and then to the number of second places, going to countback to determine the champions. Currently, MP & Carlin both have 5 victories, with ART lying on 4 – so taking a victory will be more critical than ever. It is unlikely that countback will need to be used, however anything can happen in Formula 2 – so take note of the implications of the number of victories – and even second and third places!
Overall, Abu Dhabi looks set to be a competitive weekend, with most places in both championships yet to be decided. And though we already have one champion, we will be crowning the other – but will it be MP, ART or Carlin?
