Who will take second in the 2023 Constructors Championship?

The F1 Constructors’ Championship is an integral part of the Formula One World Championship. Whilst the Drivers' Championship focuses on individual talent, the Constructors' is a testament to the collective efforts of a team. Every nut, bolt, and late-night design tweak comes to the fore, reflecting a combination of engineering brilliance, strategic masterminding, and on-track performance. This championship holds immense prestige because it essentially crowns the best team in the world for that season – both in terms of car design and team dynamics.

Points in the Constructors' Championship are accumulated based on the finishes of the team's drivers in each race. Both drivers' points from a race are combined and added to the team’s total. The higher up the order the drivers finish, the more points they earn for themselves and, crucially, for their team.

Last year, Ferrari managed to pip Mercedes to the post, claiming second place in the 2022 F1 Constructors’ title race. Fast forward to 2023, and Mercedes are showing their intent, currently lying in second with a tally of 247 points,  unable to match the dominance of Max Verstappen and Oracle Red Bull, with a tally of 503 points and counting.  However, breathing down Mercedes necks are Aston Martin, who've accumulated 196 points and sit in third place. With such a narrow margin, the race for second is shaping up to be an enthralling spectacle.

The Current Standings

Mercedes-AMG Petronas Holding Firm

The Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team are not unfamiliar with the taste of victory. Yet, as we approach the last leg of the racing season, they currently occupy the second slot in the Constructors' Championship. Positioned behind the dominant Oracle Red Bull Racing, Toto Wolff, the brains behind the Mercedes team, asserts that every team member is pouring their energy into guaranteeing they maintain this coveted second position as the season comes to a close.

The Thrill of the Race

While their sights are firmly set on the present, it's hard for them to not cast an eye on the future. The Team Principal at Mercedes, Toto Wolff subtly hints that significant portions of their research and developmental efforts between now and the season's end will be channelled into refining their 2024 car model. However, Wolff, driven by the adrenaline of the competition and a burning desire to secure the second spot, assures fans that they will not neglect improvements on their 2023 vehicle.

The Driver's Perspective

A Synchronized Vision

Current Mercedes drivers, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, are in concord with the sentiments expressed by Wolff. They too believe that clinching the second position in the championship would be a monumental feat for the team, especially considering recent hurdles they've faced. 

Reflecting on Past Glories and Challenges

Mercedes, a name synonymous with success in the F1 domain, once reveled in an unparalleled eight-year streak of consecutive constructors’ titles. This streak, however, met an untimely end last year. The team was relegated to the third position in the constructors’ championship, with their only win being at the penultimate round, thereby finishing behind racing giants Red Bull and Ferrari.

Aston Martin’s Chances

In a remarkable transformation, Aston Martin has ascended from the depths of last year's Constructors' Championship, where they languished without a single point, to currently challenging stalwarts Mercedes and Ferrari for the coveted second position behind Red Bull this season.

 This resurgence can be attributed to a series of strategic decisions and changes within the team. Most notably, Fernando Alonso, now holding third in the F1 Drivers' Championship with two podium finishes, has played a pivotal role in the team's renaissance. The introduction of the AMR23, an evolved version of its predecessor AMR22, saw the invaluable influence of new arrivals Dan Fallows and Eric Blandin as technical director and deputy technical director, respectively. These two were cherry-picked from giants Red Bull and Mercedes during Aston Martin's massive recruitment initiative led by Lawrence Stroll.

Stroll's acquisition of the former Force India team in 2018 signified his long-term vision for Aston Martin. This vision was further exemplified when Alonso, unsatisfied with Alpine's contractual offerings, took a bold gamble to sign a multi-year deal with Aston Martin in 2022, replacing Vettel. This decision, which may have seemed audacious then, has proved to be prescient, as the team's leap in 2023 exceeded many analysts' expectations. Undoubtedly, while Aston Martin's ascension signifies their progress, it's also worth noting that their rise has been abetted by the uncharacteristic struggles plaguing both Ferrari and Mercedes this year.

The 2023 Scenario

With the odds seemingly stacked against them, 2023 has been less than ideal for Mercedes in terms of challenging the colossus that is Red Bull, which has bagged victories at every turn this season. Yet, Mercedes, demonstrating resilience and prowess, currently holds their ground at the second spot,  ahead of formidable opponents like Aston Martin and Ferrari, with only 5 points separating the latter - the Scuderia could be an outside bet for Second place in the Constructors Championship the newest UK bookies suggest.

Despite Ferrari's turbulent transition from Mattia Binotto to Frederic Vasseur in the team principal role, there is still a glimmer of hope that they could be an outside contender for second place in the constructors' championship. The legacy of Binotto’s reign saw the birth of a car that, in terms of sheer pace, went wheel-to-wheel with Red Bull for a good portion of the previous season. But it wasn't just the car's raw speed that defined that era; poor reliability and a sequence of strategic blunders dented Charles Leclerc's championship run, allowing Max Verstappen to cruise to his second title in a row.

While 2022 was marred by strategic errors, causing Leclerc to lose valuable points, there are early signs of evolution in 2023. The Bahrain race showcased a Ferrari devoid of any strategy missteps, with a notable maneuver in Jeddah that seemingly caught Aston Martin off guard, providing Sainz an advantage over Lance Stroll.

However, the current season has not been without its challenges. The Ferrari SF23 has presented a myriad of issues for both Leclerc and Sainz. The inconsistency of its performance has been a thorn in the side of the drivers, and concerns such as wind sensitivity have become significant roadblocks. Given the budget cap, throwing money at the problem isn't an option, forcing the team to innovate or make do. Yet, in spite of these setbacks, the spirit of Ferrari, combined with their storied history in the sport, makes them an ever-present threat in the championship chase.

Summary

The race for second place in the 2023 Constructors' Championship is shaping up to be one of the most exhilarating yet. With Mercedes demonstrating determination, Aston Martin proving their mettle, and Ferrari showing signs of a renaissance, the battle is far from decided. Each team brings its own strengths, strategies, and challenges to the table, making the championship's conclusion unpredictable. As the final races draw near, only time will reveal who emerges as the 'best of the rest' behind the dominant force this season. But one thing's for sure: fans are in for a thrilling climax to a season that's been nothing short of spectacular.

Cover Credits: TheRace