Why 2020's last three F1 races still matter

Four fight for third

The main focus is likely to be the battle for third-best team behind Mercedes and Red Bull. Just 24 points separate Racing Point, McLaren, Renault and Ferrari, and a decent run of desert form for any of the quartet could swing the outcome, upon which rests many millions of dollars. As always in F1, there’s more than just pride and honour at stake here.

Racing Point is riding high right now after its headline-grabbing Turkish Grand Prix, at which Lance Stroll sensationally grabbed his first F1 pole position. The Canadian slipped to a disappointing ninth in the race, but led the first 36 laps convincingly, while team-mate Sergio Perez put in a typically accomplished and mature drive to finish a fine second from third on the grid. The Mexican, in his 10^th F1 season, is just the type of consistent performer Racing Point needs in such a tight constructors’ battle. A brilliant fourth in the drivers’ standings, despite missing both races at Silverstone after testing positive for COVID-19, Perez simply hoovers up points over the course of a season. Stroll is a significantly hefty 41 points short of his team-mate, but will surely be pumped to make up for what he lost in Istanbul.

McLaren is only five points behind the pink cars and is currently performing in the way you’d expect for a team lying fourth: good, but surely below its own high expectations at this late stage of the season. Five points further back sits Renault, which of course supplies McLaren with its power unit – for now. Next year, McLaren switches to Mercedes customer engines. In that context, there’s all kinds of tension and face-saving to be made between these two teams, especially given that Renault team leader Daniel Ricciardo is moving to McLaren for next year. The Australian has once again driven brilliantly in 2020, well and truly tucking up highly-rated team-mate Esteban Ocon.

Ferrari? Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc secured a three-four finish in Turkey, and if they can keep scoring points like that the red team can’t be discounted. Third looks a long shot for a car that’s still underperforming in normal dry conditions, but Leclerc in particular has the towering ability to spring a surprise result.

Perez makes his pitch to Red Bull

These will mark the last three grands prix for Perez at Racing Point, following the decision of owner Lawrence Stroll to drop him in favour of Vettel for next season, when the team will become Aston Martin. ‘Checo’ is too classy and way too professional to take his foot off the gas in revenge – plus he also has his own future to drive for.

The smart money appears to be on Perez landing a Red Bull drive beside Max Verstappen for 2021, unless Alexander Albon can pull himself out of his current nose-dive. If Red Bull really does want the points-scoring security Perez would bring, the team has surely already seen enough to know what the 30-year-old is capable of. But at such a delicate time, it certainly wouldn’t hurt if Perez can bank another big performance before 2020 is done.

As for Albon, Christian Horner maintains it’s not too late for the Thai, that the drive is still his to lose – and there’s no reason for him to rush into a decision with most other seats already taken for 2021, and with Perez and the similarly experienced Nico Hülkenberg having nowhere else to go. So this is where we’ll find out what Albon’s got left, and whether he can dig deep enough and find the right set-up to unlock the potential Red Bull clearly believes is still within him. He’s driving for his F1 career.

A point to prove for Norris

Just one point separates the McLaren duo Sainz and Lando Norris, the Spaniard inching ahead last time out in Turkey following his fifth place finish. Their personal duel is an interesting one, even though they famously get on well. At the start of the season, in Austria back in July, Norris scored his maiden F1 podium and all the momentum seemed to be with the Brit as Sainz endured a run of bad luck. But over the course of this intense season, the older man has gained the upper hand at McLaren, and in qualifying holds an eight-six lead over the F1 sophomore.

There’s no threat to Norris – his place at the team is secure for next year. But there’s some professional pride at stake and a feather to be won if he can grab back the initiative before Sainz leaves for Ferrari. Both are held in high regard in F1 circles, but Norris at this stage of his career definitely has more to prove. The focus should be on McLaren securing that third place in the constructors’ table, but there will be a fascinating undercurrent flowing within the team all the way to the finish line in Abu Dhabi.

Too late for Kvyat?

Daniil Kvyat is aware it might already be over for him at AlphaTauri after a middling season, especially in comparison to impressive team-mate Pierre Gasly. But if there is any chance of him saving his drive, which has been linked to Formula 2 frontrunner Yuki Tsunoda for next year, the Russian needs a bountiful Middle Eastern tour. Kvyat is a frustrating enigma in many ways. Over the years there have been glimpses of a very good grand prix driver, but a little like Albon in the past year, just not often enough. In Bahrain and Abu Dhabi, it’s time to leave nothing on the table.

Images courtesy of Motorsport Images.