Scuderia Ferrari approaches the Qatar dash race, the final of the 2024 System 1 World Championship, with the need to offer its greatest. Sadly, qualifying went poorly for the Maranello staff. The explanations are primarily attributable to 2 elements. We confer with the lack to handle the environmental circumstances of the aggressive context and, consequently, to the activation and upkeep of the goal temperatures on the tires. A state of affairs already seen and bitterly skilled throughout different race weekends, the place the 2 SF-24 automobiles have been unable to extract most efficiency. And it’s really a disgrace, as a result of on the 5.419-kilometre Lusail Worldwide Circuit in Qatar the Italian aspect may have performed properly.
The potential is there, and this might even be seen as excellent news. Nonetheless, the same old incapability to carry out at their greatest dashes the hopes of the Prancing Horse in nurturing the dream of the Constructors’ World Championship. McLaren was, and has confirmed to be, the favourite. In the present day, within the Dash Race, it clearly aimed to safe a one-two end that might seal the title for the British staff. Ferrari could have the possibility to regulate the setup of its automobiles earlier than the second qualifying session—a transfer that the Maranello staff now intends to make however didn’t contemplate worthwhile yesterday.
And but it was, as a result of the cooler-than-expected temperatures on the Losail observe created a state of affairs completely different from what was anticipated within the simulator. There’s nothing left to do however push and “give it all the pieces,” as Ferrari staff principal Frederic Vasseur said within the normal pre-weekend discussions with media from all over the world. As a result of, till confirmed in any other case, in trendy System 1, you by no means know what would possibly occur. Most focus, readability firstly, and a race through which injury limitation have to be the purpose. This was the goal of a staff that may nonetheless carry out properly over the course of the Qatari weekend.
Now let’s take an in depth take a look at how occasions unfolded for the 2 Ferrari drivers within the Qatar dash race based mostly on the onboard footage from the 2 SF-24 single-seaters:
There are actually just a few minutes left earlier than the beginning of the 100 kilometer race. The automobiles are lined up on the beginning grid. Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz are about to climb aboard their automobiles after reviewing the newest info with their respective engineers. It will likely be attention-grabbing to see how the beginning is managed. On one hand, the necessity to push to recuperate some positions firstly. On the opposite, the need of not excessively stressing the tires, thereby shortening the helpful lifetime of the rubber, which, it ought to be remembered, should final the complete stint with out being changed. Therefore, the necessity to handle them as successfully as doable.
Let’s check out the final circumstances earlier than diving into the narrative: the air temperature is 21.4°C, and the observe floor temperature is 26.7°C. Humidity is pretty excessive at 53%, and the wind blows from the north at 3.8 kilometers per hour. We’re ready for the reconnaissance lap. It’s price declaring that the observe floor is about 5°C hotter, and temperatures will rise considerably through the race. It is going to due to this fact be attention-grabbing to grasp how tire degradation is managed. Routine communication checks are going down, with Carlos Sainz taking the chance to debate the entrance wing in relation to the downforce load put in on the entrance finish to make sure correct steadiness.
The Ferrari drivers are knowledgeable that everybody within the prime ten has chosen the scrubbed Medium compound, the identical tire utilized by the 2 SF-24s. Engines are fired up. Throughout the set up lap, the purpose is to achieve the goal temperature earlier than repositioning on the beginning grid. Carlos Sainz performs 4 burnouts to warmth his rear tires, whereas Charles does 4.5. We’re prepared, ready just for the inexperienced gentle. The Spaniard will get off to a poor begin and, in making an attempt to defend towards his teammate’s assaults, barely hinders him, permitting Lewis Hamilton to take benefit and move Charles Leclerc.
Oscar Piastri exhibits nice ability, overtaking George Russell firstly, placing the 2 McLarens in charge of the race. The grip for the Italian automobiles isn’t nice. Furthermore, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz are instructed to save lots of tires in turns 9 and 14. Observing the dashboard of the Ferrari automobiles, it’s noticeable that the tires stay under their splendid temperature till lap 3, when the compounds start offering extra grip. Additional care is suggested for the tires in turns 5 and 12 as properly. The 2 Ferraris steadily acquire confidence; Carlos Sainz closes in on the highest three, whereas the Monegasque driver stays behind Lewis at a secure distance in the intervening time.
Saturation in flip 7 have to be monitored on this System 1 period that many name “tire method,” which persistently repeats the identical tiresome thread, considerably limiting efficiency. An additional gear in flip 4 for the Spaniard, one level much less on the mid-corner differential for Charles Leclerc to assist rotation—these are the ideas given to the Ferrari drivers on lap 7. The mini race is reasonably predictable. Nothing noteworthy occurs on the entrance. With ten laps remaining, it seems the Monegasque is closing in on Hamilton’s Mercedes.
Progressively, the pack compresses, with the highest six automobiles inside a five-second span. Charles Leclerc pushes arduous and, on lap 12, manages to overhaul his future teammate utilizing the drag discount system on the finish of the principle straight. Carlos Sainz makes an attempt to shut in on George Russell, who, in flip, is glued to Oscar Piastri’s rear wing. Apparently, the 2 Ferrari automobiles should not affected by understeer, whereas the 2 McLarens exhibit slight over-rotation, primarily as a consequence of their aggressive cornering. The race slips away with simply three laps remaining.
The Spanish driver didn’t relent for a second however was by no means in a position to problem the drivers forward. In the meantime, the Monegasque reclaimed the place he misplaced to his future Ferrari teammate firstly of the Qatar dash race. George Russell made quite a few makes an attempt to overhaul the Australian driver in entrance of him, however the latter defended skillfully all through. No matter whether or not one likes the Dash Race format, this observe doesn’t appear fitted to it, given the format and environmental circumstances that restrict pleasure.
Scuderia Ferrari due to this fact pays a heavy worth for a poor efficiency within the Dash qualifying session on Friday. McLaren secures 15 factors with a one-two end, whereas the Italian aspect, with fourth and fifth locations, solely earns 9 factors. This implies the hole of 24 factors will increase to 30 with two races remaining—tomorrow’s race after which the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Though the Ferrari drivers gave their throughout these 100 kilometers, the result’s actually removed from passable.
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