Ferrari is at a important juncture. Extremely, it’s nonetheless competing for the 2024 Formulation 1 Constructors’ Championship title, an surprising state of affairs. The Maranello workforce started the season with a stable basis. The preliminary updates have been promising, though they didn’t absolutely ship the estimated beneficial properties from the design part on observe. Then, as has been the case for a while, the SF-24’s optimum working vary was misplaced this 12 months. With out this concern, issues would undoubtedly be totally different.
Final week’s Qatar Grand Prix noticed the Maranello workforce claw again 3 factors from McLaren throughout the 2 races. It may have been far worse had Lando Norris not been penalized in a slightly naive method. That penalty retains the Italian workforce’s hopes alive forward of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Recovering 21 factors with out help from the Woking workforce itself won’t be a simple activity. A hypothetical Ferrari one-two end, for example, wouldn’t suffice if each MCL38 vehicles end proper behind Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz. This highlights how difficult Ferrari’s mission is.
Ferrari workforce principal Frederic Vasseur is just not giving up, nor are the drivers. Believing till the top prices nothing. Nonetheless, imagining the Maranello squad reaching a one-two end on the 5.281-kilometre Yas Marina Circuit on Yas Island is troublesome, particularly contemplating Ferrari has by no means received in Abu Dhabi. Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc are however motivated, prepared to present their all and capitalize on any errors by McLaren. A workforce that, had it optimized outcomes over the season, would have already got the Constructors’ Trophy secured. This provides Ferrari a sliver of hope, dreaming of one other present from its opponents.
The Abu Dhabi observe includes a technical and complicated format, characterised by a mixture of straights and medium-speed corners that demand a steadiness between aerodynamic downforce and mechanical traction. The comparatively uniform observe floor floor doesn’t pose important challenges in tire administration, however the area’s usually excessive temperatures place thermal stress on the tires, making thermal administration essential, significantly within the ultimate sector. Balancing aerodynamics and mechanics will likely be important for tackling the circuit.
The observe rewards aerodynamic effectivity and lateral grip however penalizes compromises in rear-end administration. Ferrari arrives at a circuit that has traditionally highlighted the strengths of the Maranello automotive. Over the previous two years, the automotive has carried out persistently, adapting nicely to a observe combining straights, technical corners, and prolonged stretches. Final 12 months, the SF-23 constructed its laps primarily on nook exits, gaining from the apex onward. Nonetheless, it misplaced floor to Pink Bull in nook entry phases.
This 12 months, the SF-24 single-seater has proven a very responsive entrance finish, a characteristic that might enable Ferrari to recuperate in nook entry, an space the place weaknesses emerged in 2023. Nonetheless, traction, much less stable in comparison with final season, represents a big problem. The Maranello workforce is assured, although, that it could optimize this facet to attain consequence. The direct battle with McLaren would be the point of interest of the weekend, as the 2 groups compete for the Constructors’ Championship title. The 2 vehicles are anticipated to “construct their lap” in the same method on such a circuit.
With extra medium-speed corners in comparison with the sluggish ones within the previous Formulation 1 format, each groups exhibit complementary traits. McLaren has considerably improved its top-speed parameter, particularly finish of straight pace, in comparison with the final Formulation 1 season. Nonetheless, Ferrari has proven it could reply, making this comparability intriguing. Each groups will work on particular setups, with Ferrari probably choosing a medium-downforce wing mixed with an efficient beam wing configuration and a flooring able to producing clear downforce and enhancing stability.
Managing journey heights will likely be essential to deal with any bumps alongside the circuit and keep away from compromising efficiency. Final season, a number of groups struggled with points, requesting some bumps to be flattened. Ferrari would possibly verify using its newest up to date flooring, significantly within the sharp edge space. In Qatar, after some constant-speed assessments throughout the first free observe session, this main part was confirmed on Charles Leclerc’s automotive. That is additionally a optimistic signal for the 2025 Formulation 1 automotive, because it signifies that they’re at the moment discovering correlation between simulation environments and the observe.
The compromise between aerodynamics and mechanics will likely be decisive. The historic Maranello workforce would possibly select a barely softer setup to maximise suspension efficiency on the observe’s irregularities and enhance cornering grip, whereas McLaren would possibly go for stiffer options to boost the effectivity of the floor-diffuser group, a key issue of their effectiveness in medium-speed corners final 12 months. In any case, the automotive’s total steadiness will likely be a central focus all through the weekend to optimize efficiency.
Tire administration will likely be a key issue. It is going to be important to take care of optimum rear-end temperatures, particularly within the ultimate sector, the place minor sliding may push the rear axle out of its supreme working window. Final 12 months, Ferrari accomplished the primary sector with the rear finish beneath the goal temperature and might want to work on enhancing this to make sure constant tire administration all through the lap. The strategic alternative of tires and their dynamic administration will likely be important to the ultimate results of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
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