The Scuderia Ferrari Formula 1 team enters the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with the hopes of winning their first constructor’s title since 2008. They are the ones playing catchup to McLaren, who themselves are eyeing a return to their former glory by holding off Ferrari’s late charge after 1998. So, it’s fair to say that there’s a lot on the line for both the powerhouse teams this weekend at Abu Dhabi. But who will come out on top?

With just 21 points separating the two teams, it’s tough to make a call on who is the favorite to win the title. However, British journalist and presenter Will Buxton, who works with Formula 1, has sided with the Italian team after highlighting major flaws within the McLaren camp.

McLaren has everything to lose in the constructor’s title race

Max Verstappen’s championship this year was anything but easy. After starting off the season firing on all cylinders, they had a sudden falloff after Round 10 in Spain. Although McLaren stepped up their game with the new car modification, they weren’t sure which driver would be able to challenge Red Bull’s dominant run.

However, despite being considered a clear favorite to face Verstappen head-to-head, Lando Norris failed to deliver. Off the seven pole positions, Norris scored from sprints and regular qualifying; he was only able to hold onto his lead in the first lap just once in those seven races, in Singapore. It has to be noted that neither Ferrari nor McLaren have won the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in the last 13 years, which makes things even spicier. But, despite McLaren’s superior advantage, Will Buxton is skeptical of McLaren’s ability to deliver the goods in a pressure situation. “McLaren have had questionable strategic decision-making all season; they have panicked, they have got it wrong, and they’ve thrown away a litany of points. What chance do they do it again this weekend? I’d say it’s quite high.” He said this ahead of the Abu Dhabi race.

Now, the Tifosi haven’t started the weekend on a high as Charles Leclerc has been handed a 10-place grid penalty due to a battery issue. During the first practice run, Leclerc’s race car ran into suspected battery issues, which forced them to add a new energy unit that crossed the legal limit set by the FIA. Ferrari needs a maximum number of points from the available 44 from the race, and only a Hail Mary run could see them script history this weekend.

But despite the odds stacked against Ferrari, Buxton feels they have a chance to pull off a big upset. “I think Ferrari are feeling pretty confident; speaking to the guys earlier today, they were like, listen we don’t traditionally go well here but actually this year we think it’s gonna suit our car. So Ferrari can go into this with nothing to lose; McLaren have got everything to lose, and when they’re in those kind of pressure positions, they fumbled it more often than not this year.”

Well, the British presenter might be biting his words later this weekend given the way the grid has lined up after the qualifying rounds.

Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri lock out the front row

Ferrari’s hopes of winning the constructor’s title were dealt another blow as the drivers started running their qualifying laps at the Yas Marina Circuit. Now we all know Leclerc needed the best qualifying run to at least secure a P11 starting position in the middle of the field. However, his run came to an end in Q2 as his lap time was deleted for track limits. With the 10-point grid penalty, he will start the race at the back of the grid.

His teammate Carlos Sainz did his best but was second best to the blistering pace of the McLaren drivers. Lando Norris, meanwhile, was class of the field as he beat Max Verstappen’s lap time in the final decisive lap. 1.22.259 seconds was the time he posted on his final attempt, which was enough for him to secure the pole position. Meanwhile, his teammate Oscar Piastri will join him on the front row, and this might have virtually sealed their bid to win the constructor’s championship.

The only hope for Ferrari is now to expect Sainz to create havoc in the first turn at the start of the race. Perhaps play a little dirty against the Orange to keep their title hopes alive.