Scuderia Ferrari is competing for the F1 Constructors’ Championship towards McLaren. The aggressive setting is Abu Dhabi, Yas Marina, the place the ultimate spherical of the 2024 Method 1 championship will happen. The monitor is exclusive, that includes varied forms of corners mixed with two high-speed sections separated by a chicane. The monitor floor isn’t very abrasive, however excessive temperatures pressure groups to handle tires within the third sector. An ideal aero-mechanical compromise will probably be wanted, as all the time, to ship one of the best efficiency. Ferrari should win and hope for assist from the Woking staff.
Pink Bull, nevertheless, led by Max Verstappen, may discover nice efficiency and be a part of the struggle. Mercedes additionally can’t be dominated out of competition, as regardless of preferring cooler situations, the W15 has confirmed able to being aggressive, particularly with George Russell. It should even be Lewis Hamilton‘s final race with the Brackley staff earlier than shifting to Ferrari, giving the Briton further motivation to go away followers with a memorable impression. In brief, there are many causes for an thrilling F1 weekend.
For the ultimate occasion of the season, Method 1 groups arrive with exact aerodynamic decisions aimed toward discovering a fragile steadiness between effectivity and dealing with. These are key parts on a monitor that includes medium-speed corners and the necessity for top mechanical grip. Pink Bull stands out for testing two totally different rear wing specs, as noticed in images taken on Thursday by varied journalists within the Yas Marina pitlane. Sergio Perez’s automotive is supplied with the medium-load wing used on the Baku metropolis circuit in Azerbaijan. Its primary profile is much less pronounced, whereas Max Verstappen‘s automotive options the higher-load model beforehand seen through the season on the British Grand Prix in Silverstone. Each wings embrace a nolder on the trailing edge. This method seems to replicate the purpose of reaching a transparent compromise: a extra rearward steadiness useful in medium-speed corners whereas addressing current points, similar to these encountered in Qatar and Las Vegas.
Nonetheless, rising rear load to enhance steadiness on the RB20 may compromise high speeds. The optimum alternative stays to be seen. Ferrari has chosen a medium-load wing, additionally used on the Silverstone circuit, aiming to maximise high speeds with out sacrificing grip. This method aligns with final season’s technique. Notably, in 2023, the Italian staff adopted the same method, as seen immediately.
However, the present model of the wing includes a extra pronounced spoon profile, aiming to use a really perfect setup window and, consequently, present the Maranello automotive with essentially the most steady general steadiness doable. Ferrari is searching for a greater reference to the entrance finish of its automotive to ship a steadiness that satisfies each drivers. On automotive quantity 16, the “outdated” ground is presently put in, fairly than the one launched in Las Vegas.
McLaren additionally arrives with a twin array of aerodynamic choices. The ultimate alternative of the historic British staff will largely rely on the info collected on monitor, mixed with suggestions from the drivers, because the sensitivity of the circuit requires correct validation of the simulations. One of many obtainable specs is the Barcelona model, that includes a really pronounced spoon profile and better downforce, whereas the opposite, launched in Austin, generates medium downforce. The problem will probably be to search out the steadiness that most closely fits the drivers.
That is undoubtedly a vital transfer to arrange as successfully as doable for the ultimate championship problem and deal with the medium-speed corners effectively. Abu Dhabi is a monitor that’s significantly delicate to effectivity. The staff will check two specs, because the optimum downforce stage can not ideally be achieved with both wing alone. Consequently, the engineers have to be very shrewd in figuring out which of the 2 variations will higher swimsuit the MCL38, then full the setup by appropriately adjusting the journey heights and beam-wing angles.
Lastly, Mercedes depends on a medium-load spoon wing. That is additionally a model already examined efficiently in Canada, Barcelona, and Austria. A configuration that has demonstrated good steadiness and will present a possible benefit in a context the place discovering the optimum setup will probably be fairly helpful for delivering a convincing efficiency. The selection of configurations by the varied F1 groups highlights a steadiness between conservative and experimental approaches, all aimed toward maximizing the potential of their vehicles in a decisive weekend.
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