Ferrari disappoints itself as soon as once more. In fashionable Method 1, tire administration is a essential issue for efficiency. Failing to optimize tire utilization considerably limits a group’s competitiveness, and throughout the first qualifying session of the Qatar weekend, Ferrari uncovered its vulnerabilities on this space. The difficulty, exacerbated by unexpectedly cool temperatures in comparison with these in Saudi Arabia, left the Maranello group unable to adapt successfully. The Q3 session served as a transparent instance, with the Ferrari drivers showing unsure about easy methods to proceed, compounded by inadequate assist from the pit wall.
Within the sole follow session accessible, Ferrari targeted closely on balancing the automotive. They carried out in depth laps utilizing the Laborious compound to attain constant efficiency. For Qatar, the group opted for a medium-high downforce rear wing, a call aligned with most different groups. Whereas not reaching the utmost attainable degree, the setup was barely under optimum. Vital efforts had been additionally made to validate the up to date flooring, that includes modifications across the edge. This improve was briefly examined by Carlos Sainz in Las Vegas throughout the first follow session, whereas in Losail, it was Charles Leclerc’s flip to trial it.
Inspired by constructive suggestions from automotive quantity 16, Ferrari determined to retain the up to date flooring for qualifying and the Dash Race, with the choice to revert to the older specification if wanted. Throughout the restricted 60-minute session to fine-tune the vehicles, Charles Leclerc was instructed to carry out a number of managed laps on the Medium tires to check the ground. These runs, carried out with out the usage of aero rakes or flow-viz, relied solely on load cells. In the meantime, the Comfortable compound remained largely untested, leaving questions on its efficiency for the Dash Qualifying session.
Throughout qualifying, each drivers complained about vital rotation points, which proved to be the first impediment to unlocking efficiency. The vehicles suffered from understeer that transitioned into oversteer throughout nook exits. Whereas the vehicles did generate substantial downforce, a constructive takeaway for the Maranello group, the shortcoming to keep up the goal tire temperatures robbed them of essential grip. This was an sudden setback for Ferrari, which had designed a warm-up technique that originally appeared efficient.
Including to the poor consequence was a setup that did not carry out optimally beneath the cooler circumstances. Ferrari was caught off guard, neglecting to make setup changes to counteract the dearth of rotation. As an alternative, they relied on knowledge gathered throughout FP1, satisfied that the best tire administration technique would yield the specified efficiency. Sadly, this method proved ineffective, and as soon as once more, the 2 SF-24 vehicles displayed vital untapped potential. Efficiency that would have made a distinction was left unrealized resulting from poor execution.
McLaren demonstrated precisely what Ferrari was lacking: glorious steadiness, achieved via optimum tire administration. The MCL38 featured a pointy and exact front-end that labored harmoniously with the rear, sustaining steady alignment between the 2 axes. The McLaren vehicles dominated the primary two sectors of the observe, whereas Verstappen claimed the quickest time within the third. McLaren’s tires activated extra rapidly—a attribute trait of the papaya automotive—whereas Ferrari opted for a delayed activation technique, aiming to profit from higher grip throughout the remainder of the lap.
With the Comfortable compounds, nevertheless, Ferrari tried to regulate preliminary tire temperatures to enhance efficiency within the first sector. This method backfired, resulting in front-end overheating and exacerbating the rotation points beforehand famous. McLaren additionally confronted challenges stabilizing tire temperatures however finally succeeded, whereas for Ferrari, this process became a nightmare, derailing their complete technique throughout the essential moments of the session. With restricted time and already-used tires, there was no alternative for Ferrari to recuperate.
Mercedes as soon as once more delivered a powerful efficiency, significantly via George Russell, aided by the cooler observe temperature of simply 21.5°C. These circumstances helped the W15 mitigate overheating points successfully. Quicker tire activation throughout the out-lap offered higher grip over a single lap, permitting Russell’s automotive to outperform the SF-24 when it comes to outright efficiency. Moreover, Russell’s exact dealing with performed a vital function in extracting the automotive’s potential.
Lastly, Crimson Bull. Max Verstappen admitted he wasn’t quick sufficient throughout the session. The RB20’s major situation was its steadiness. Throughout the sole follow session, the group struggled to search out an optimum working window for the automotive. Verstappen didn’t pinpoint a single drawback however famous understeer in some corners and over-rotation in others, with the entrance and rear axes disconnected—a recurring situation in latest weeks. General, the compromise Crimson Bull settled on proved much less efficient than the setups chosen by Ferrari and McLaren.
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