Formula 1: Red Bull facing elimination in Portimao
By Asher Fair
Red Bull can be mathematically eliminated from 2020 Formula 1 world constructor championship contention in this Sunday’s Portuguese Grand Prix.
Through 11 of the 17 races on the revised 2020 Formula 1 calendar, Mercedes and Red Bull are the only two teams still mathematically eligible to win the world constructor championship.
There are a maximum of 44 points (25 for a victory, 18 for a second place finish and one for the race’s fastest lap) on the table for each team in each race, and there are six races remaining on the schedule.
Only Red Bull, which sit 180 points behind Mercedes (391 to 211) in the constructor standings, are within 264 points of Silver Arrows with 264 points still on the table. Third place Racing Point have scored just 120 points and sit 271 points behind.
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Note that with nine victories through 11 races and just six races remaining on the schedule, Mercedes have already clinched the tiebreaker, meaning that teams technically need to finish one point ahead of them to secure the title.
But even Red Bull can soon be mathematically eliminated from championship contention. We stress the word “mathematically” here because we all know they are kind of “eliminated” already, with all things considered.
Following the 66-lap race around the 15-turn, 2.91-mile (4.683-kilometer) Algarve International Circuit road course in Portimao, Algarve, Portugal, there will be a maximum of 220 points on the table throughout the rest of the season.
Should Mercedes outscore Red Bull by at least 40 points in this race to take at least a 220-point lead, the Milton Keynes-based team will have no possible way to claw back into title contention.
Usually at this point in the year, we are nearing the 18th or 19th race of a 21-race schedule, and Mercedes may or may not have already clinched the title.
This year, Red Bull, their final remaining competitor, can be eliminated after just 12 of 17 events.
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Tune in to ESPN this Sunday, October 25 for the live broadcast of the 2020 Portuguese Grand Prix from Algarve International Circuit to see if Red Bull can stay mathematically alive in the title fight.