Another race where the status quo at the top changes and we are once again asking just which team is the one that is by far the best in F1.
That of course makes the latest edition of F1 team power rankings an interesting one, but before we get to that, let’s get the usual disclaimer over and done with. If you’ve read these before, you know the drill. These are all subjective and based mainly on my (incredibly smart) opinion mixed with form and on-track results, meaning it is a generally subjective list that holds no real weight except for the large basis of fact I like to think I can generate.
So with all that in mind, let’s get to the rankings.
10. Williams (-2)
You would hate to be involved in the Williams accounting division right now. Every race that comes, more accident damage seems to follow, really adding up for a team that can’t afford to have that much expense being thrown at them. Here’s hoping that come Abu Dhabi they can have an incident-free weekend to give the accounting department a break.
9. RB (-3)
Probably harsh to drop them down this far but it really was a nothing weekend for RB. Both Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson just didn’t have the pace to battle for anything good in Qatar, all but ending any hopes the team had of finishing in sixth in the Championship.
8. Aston Martin (+1)
Points for the team for the first time since Singapore, Fernando Alonso drove a solid race to come home in seventh. It is a shame though that this hasn’t been a regular sight for a team that is so much in no-man’s land right now it’s just baffling.
(Photo by Getty Images)
7. Kick Sauber (+3)
Does one result of eighth really warrant this team moving up three spots in an overall power rankings given how bad they have been for the majority of the season? No. But is it a result that deserves high praise and giving them a moment of glory? Absolutely. The best thing about their points breakthrough is it was so nearly a double points finish as well, with Valtteri Bottas finishing in 11th for his best result of the season, alongside that of his teammate Zhou Guanyu. An amazing result for the team and thoroughly well deserved.
6. Haas (-1)
Seems a bit unfair that the team scored points in both the sprint and main race yet drop back behind Alpine in the battle for sixth in the Constructors’ Championship. That’s the nature of the sport though, and the fact that we’re even talking about this team battling for a position that high in the Championship is a win in itself.
5. Alpine (+2)
Advantage Alpine in the battle for sixth in the Constructors’ Championship. A great drive from Pierre Gasly to secure fifth in the race gives them a five-point buffer over Haas heading into the final round, setting up a great showdown between the two most unlikely rivals if pre-season predictions had anything to go by.
(Photo by Getty Images)
4. Mercedes (-2)
Not on the level of last weekend but still a decent overall showing from the team. George Russell had good pace to take a front row spot that turned into pole, and then he did well enough to fight his way back through the field after a botched pitstop and penalty to finish just off the podium. Lewis Hamilton didn’t quite have the same pace, but brought home some points in the sprint race.
3. Red Bull (+1)
Very few people would’ve predicted Red Bull would leave Qatar as race winners, but when you’ve got Max Verstappen at the wheel, those predictions often mean nothing. Sadly for them they officially can’t win the Constructors’ Championship, but when you’re a one-man team going against two two-man teams, then that is always going to happen.
2. Ferrari (-1)
The pace wasn’t where they hoped it would be in Qatar but they somehow leave the weekend closer to McLaren in the Championship than they entered it. Most of this came down to luck, but sometimes luck is all you need. Here’s hoping in the final round all the luck comes their way to help them secure that elusive Constructors’ Championship.
1. McLaren (+1)
It’s match point for McLaren when it comes to the Constructors’ Championship after Qatar. Should’ve had more out of the race if it had not been for the penalty given to Norris, but they still head into Abu Dhabi with a substantial lead over Ferrari as they look to clinch their first Constructors’ title in 26 years.
What do you think of this list? Which order would you currently rank the teams in? Let me know your thoughts below!
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