F1's $10-million battle to be decided in desert showdown

Two points is all that separates eighth-place Haas from seventh-placed Renault, with Toro Rosso a mere four points further ahead in sixth. Given such proximity, one good – or bad – performance on Sunday could make a multi-million dollar difference.

Based on payouts from the 2016 season, whichever team finishes in P8 is set to take home approximately $19,470,000, P7 $22,715,000, and P6 $29,205,000 – potentially a $9,735,000 difference.

In a sport where money is hard to come by yet easily spent, an extra $10 million can go a long way, especially for a midfield team. Whether it’s paying for R&D, engine supply, logistics or even drivers, there’s plenty of motivation for each of these teams but, for two in particular, there’s a much more straightforward reason: pride.

No, “Sixth Place, 2017 Constructor’s Championship” is not something you’d usually see a team hanging a banner for, but don’t put it past either Renault or Toro Rosso, given the animosity that has developed between the two teams in recent times.

Despite being long-time engine customers of the French manufacturer, Toro Rosso have had to endure the ignominious double-whammy of former charge Carlos Sainz scoring points against them after his loan deal, and a string of engine failures which Renault tried to blame them for.

Refusing to back down the Red Bull junior outfit responded to the accusations of Renault’s Cyril Abiteboul with their own statement, which stopped barely short of accusing them of sabotage.

Even with the likes of Helmut Marko and Alain Prost stepping in to ease tensions, the teams have had little incentive to make nice given Toro Rosso’s impending switch to a Honda supply in 2018. Suffice to say, if Toro Rosso manage to stay ahead in Abu Dhabi and stick it to Renault despite all the challenges they’ve caused (whether intentional or not), it would be a victory on par with anything they’ve achieved in recent years.

As things currently stand, it could hardly be more difficult to pick, either. Since Sainz made the switch three races ago in Austin, Renault has outscored Toro Rosso 7-1, but the latter have been consistently burdened with grid penalties, yet still generally competitive on race pace. Also even

if Renault is faster, they’ll need at 5 points – the equivalent of a P8 and another points finish – as Toro Rosso hold the tiebreaker, with a highest finish for either team this season of a P4 in Singapore, ironically by Sainz.

All of that, and Haas can’t be underestimated in playing the role of spoiler. The American team has the most recent double-points finish of all three teams (P8 & P9), and scored a P8 as recently as Mexico. Particularly if the other two hit engine trouble, expect them to make full use of their own Ferrari supply and pick up the pieces.

So if you were thinking of giving this one a miss with the battle out front done and dusted, think again. Nothing adds drama and intrigue like a good break-up, and Toro Rosso and Renault are sure to provide that in spades – Haas being there is just an added bonus. One way or another sparks will fly this weekend, and one team will leave Abu Dhabi very, very unhappy.