Why is the Constructors' Championship so important? It's not very romantic, but the main answer is: money!
If the World Drivers' Championship is more prestigious in Formula 1, it is the Constructors' Championship which dictates the distribution of the considerable prize pool at the end of the season, which is far from negligible.
The treasure in the vault represents 50% of Formula 1's commercial rights revenue for each season, so the reported profit of $3.2 billion for 2023 gives rise to an estimated fund of $1.6 billion. billion dollars to be redistributed between the 10 teams.
As you have understood, this total amount, serving as a reference base, varies from year to year. But the teams like this reward system which, under the Liberty Media era, has proven to be a real transformer for the health of F1 teams, who are also subject to the strict obligation to ensure that they respect a budgetary ceiling in the area of expenditure.
After deducting certain bonuses, such as Ferrari's 5% (or 80 million for 2023) in recognition of its contribution to the global popularity of the sport, the remaining amount is distributed between the 10 teams.
F1 world champions receive a fee of around 14% of the amount described above. The team that came in last place still has an income corresponding to 6%, which means that Tom Thumb for the 2023 season still pocketed a sum of around $91 million.
In 2023, Red Bull Racing would have earned around $140 million.
The difference between each position in 2023 was estimated at 8 million euros, which means that by finishing third in the standings this year, and assuming similar income from F1, the team would grant itself an envelope of about $16 million less than last year.
All this explains why the battle in the middle of the board and even the last positions are just as fierce as those at the front. We also understand the euphoria of the Alpine clan in Brazil, author of a saving double podium having moved the team up several ranks in the constructors' world championship.
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This year in particular, there is much more than money at stake for McLaren and Ferrari, both of whom can end the season with the championship title.
Ferrari last won the constructors' title in 2008, while McLaren's last triumph came in 1998. McLaren finished top of the standings in 2007, but was disqualified following the crash affair. Spygate.
These are two of the sport's most famous teams, both keen to end the dominance of Red Bull and Mercedes since Ferrari's last title.
While there is no doubt that McLaren team principal Andrea Stella and his Ferrari counterpart Frederic Vasseur have done a good job since taking the reins of their respective teams ahead of the season 2023, obtaining a title will add important dynamics for one of them.
