Four of our eight Constructors’ titles have been won on the final day of the season, the closest being that contested in 1974. Going into the final round, the US Grand Prix at Watkins Glen, we led Ferrari 70-65. The scoring system was, however, rather more complicated than it is today. Only the team’s first car home could score Constructors’ points, and only 13 of the 15 results would count (the best seven from the first eight races; best six from the last seven).

In practical terms, it meant McLaren needed to finish at least second to guarantee a first Constructors’ title. In the end, it wasn’t particularly dramatic, with one Ferrari retiring shortly after half-distance, and the other suffering a mechanical problem that led it to slowly fall away and eventually finish four laps down… but the chase for our first Drivers’ Championship went a little deeper into the race.

Until 2021, the 1974 title race was the only one in which the two leading protagonists had gone into the final round level on points, Emerson Fittipaldi and Ferrari’s Clay Reggazoni tied on 52.

The wrinkle was that Tyrrell’s Jody Scheckter, on 45 points, wasn’t completely out of the running. The maths were a little complex: if Emmo finished ahead of Reggazoni or if neither scored points, then he’d end the year ahead of the Swiss driver – but if Scheckter won, with Emmo finishing no higher than sixth or Reggazoni no better than fifth then he’d be champion.

When Reggazoni retired, Emmo’s job became simpler – but he still had Scheckter ahead of him on the road, until he didn’t. A fuel system problem forced the South African to retire, allowing Emmo to cruise home to fourth place and a second Drivers’ title.

1976 featured a debut for the Japanese Grand Prix with the season finale at the Fuji circuit. Fuji is a fabulous place to go racing – though October isn’t always the best month given the likelihood of low cloud, rain and mist.

Going to Japan, Ferrari’s Niki Lauda held a three-point lead over James Hunt. The Austrian had enjoyed a comfortable lead going into the second half of the season, but then had his near-death experience on the Nordschleife, and missed the next two races, returning against all odds, and clearly still suffering with his horrific burns, for the final four rounds.

The tense title decider at Fuji was subject to a long delay as torrential rain lashed the circuit. The race eventually began but after a lap, Lauda decided this wasn’t for him and retired his car, later stating he valued his life more winning another title. This left the way clear for Hunt – but he still had to finish at least fourth.

Having started P2, he took the lead at the start and held it until the rain stopped. With 11 laps to go, he lost the lead and fell to third. He reclaimed P2 when Patrick Depailler had a tyre problem – but then had a tyre problem of his own and had to pit. He dropped to fifth and began a mad scramble to recover ground, eventually taking third place two laps from home to take the title by a single point. They really should make a movie…

In many respects, 2008 bears a certain resemblance to 1976, with a wet race and a showdown between a McLaren and Ferrari – but unlike James Hunt, who took the place he needed with a lap to spare, Lewis Hamilton only took his two corners from home, snatching the title by a point.

He’d gone to Brazil with a 94-87 lead over Felipe Massa – but with Massa on pole and leading most of the race, Lewis needed to finish fifth to take the title. He moved into fourth position with 19 laps remaining – but the weather likes to play a part at Interlagos, and a shower hit the circuit seven laps from home. Lewis pitted, dropping to fifth, then sixth when he was passed by Sebastian Vettel.

Going onto the final lap it didn’t look good: Ferrari celebrated as Massa took the victory and… at that point… the title, only for Lewis to pass the slick-shod Timo Glock coming out of Junção corner, before heading up the hill to take the fifth place he needed, some 38 seconds after Massa crossed the line.

In terms of fine margins, there isn’t a Championship closer than 1984, when Lauda eventually triumphed over team-mate Alain Prost ... by half a point. Heading into the final round, the MP4/2 had won 11 of the 15 races, Prost winning six to Lauda’s five – but Niki leading with 66 points to Prost’s 62.5. Second place would guarantee Niki the title.

Alain’s most realistic route was victory and Niki not finishing higher than third. For a long time, that looked likely – until a spin for Nigel Mansell gave Niki the position he needed.

“This was the worst race for me,” recalled Niki many years later. “I qualified 12th or something [15th!] and Prost had pole position, but I was sure I’d have the speed in the race to get through the field. Then the race started, and I couldn’t pass anybody, because I damaged a turbocharger.

“I had the boost all the way up, but it wasn’t delivering the power, so I was stuck behind [Stefan] Johansson and some other guys for what felt like forever. I was struggling and fighting like crazy. I got up to third, Mansell retired with brake trouble, and I finished second. I was very lucky: my car was bad.”