How the titles can be won
30th October 2008, 9:00 by Keith Collantine 14 Comments »
The F1 drivers’ and constructors’ championships will be decided in the Brazilian Grand Prix. Here’s how.
Drivers’ championship
Lewis Hamilton is the favourite to win the title as he has a seven point lead over Felipe Massa.
Massa can only win the title if:
- He wins with Hamilton sixth or lower
- He finishes second with Hamilton eighth or lower (i.e., if Hamilton drops out of the race, Massa must finish in the top two to become champion)
Any other combination of finishes will make Hamilton the champion.
In the event of a tie, the title would go to the driver with the most wins. If they have the same number of wins, it would go to the driver with the most second places, and so on. Here are the number of top eight finishes each has achieved so far:
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | |
| Lewis Hamilton | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Felipe Massa | 5 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Constructors’ championship
Ferrari has an 11 point lead over McLaren, making them favourite to lift the constructors’ title.
There is a large number of permutations for how the championship could be decided which would be too complicated to go through now. But here are a few points worth remembering:
- Even if McLaren finish first and second, Ferrari could finish as low as fifth and sixth and still be champions.
- If either McLaren drops out of the race, Ferrari are automatically champions.
- If either Ferrari finishes first or second, Ferrari are champions.
In the event of a tie the same method is used to separate teams as for drivers. Here are the teams finishing records this year:
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | |
| Ferrari | 7 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| McLaren | 6 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
See the full F1 championship standings before the Brazilian Grand Prix
Dorian said on 30th October 2008, 9:19
Nice numerical analysis there Keith.
It therefore begs the question ‘Will it be that straight forward, or will there be an F1 curveball?’….
stevepCambsUK said on 30th October 2008, 9:27
With so much rain predicted and so many mistakes possible Hamilton and Massa may aswell flip a coin for the Championship!
I know who my money is on but how exciting is this gonna be? If the rain does come it will be the 3rd or 4th wet race in Brazil in 25+ years……
keepF1technical said on 30th October 2008, 9:53
it would be interesting to see clearly how the monza penalty has impacted the constructors. After all a cynic could easily perceive the purpose of the penalty was to hinder one manufacturer over another!
Imagine if we discussed the impacts of all the seasons dubious penalties – we would be here for a v.long time.
Somers said on 30th October 2008, 9:55
Gives you something to think about…..
Massa 1st and Hamilton 8th gives Massa the championship.
Somers said on 30th October 2008, 10:02
Also how about a non full race distance scenario where the points are halved….
Highly unlikely I know but it is possible.
Lustigson said on 30th October 2008, 10:04
@ Somers
Now THAT would be a brain-wrecking situation!
Somers said on 30th October 2008, 10:22
Well with all this talk of major rain it’s an outside shot
Keith Collantine said on 30th October 2008, 10:46
Somers – Indeed: Brazilian MET office now predicting rain on Friday and Saturday – http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/forum/topic/2008-brazilian-grand-prix-weather-watch
Oliver said on 30th October 2008, 13:19
While we were busy fretting over the demotion of Bourdais at the Japanese grand prix, and its effect on the drivers championship and by that, Hamiltons lead, we failed to appreciate the full significance of that singular action. By promoting Massa by a single point to 7th position, it all but handed Ferrari the constructors title.
For Mclaren to win the constructors title, they must finish 1st and 2nd with Ferrari finishing in 6th and 7th position. Mclaren have yet to have both cars on the podium throughout the course of this season, the possibility of that happening now is even more remote.
The other implication is that, if frees up the second Ferrari to seriously disturb the race of Hamilton, while Massa goes for the win.
yorricksfriend said on 30th October 2008, 14:04
My mouth is watering at the prospect of the upcoming Interlagos Grand Prix. Longest two weeks of my life
amy said on 30th October 2008, 14:24
Here is an easy way for Massa to win, he should just tell Kimi ,’take out hamilton and I’ll give you the Vodka!’
Only joking, but hamilton seriously better watch his back, he has quite a few ememies on the grid and it only takes an oppertunity moment (i.e after he has pitted) for a kamakazi pilot (Piquet) to bump him.
David said on 30th October 2008, 14:54
Keith, just to say your blog is an oasis of calm amid the growing hysteria for the final race (just checked out autosport, PlanetF1 etc). Thanks for all the great work this season!
todd said on 31st October 2008, 5:21
yeah looks like rain, 40% chance
http://www.wunderground.com/global/stations/83780.html
Somers said on 31st October 2008, 9:02
Now 60%