Ferrari has subsequently placing within the work in Barcelona with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc. On Tuesday, on the primary day of this three-day session on the stunning Montmelò circuit, the Scuderia’s drivers took turns behind the wheel of the SF-23. The Prancing Horse booked the Spanish observe to reap the benefits of TPC classes, assessments regulated by the Worldwide Federation, the place a number of guidelines have to be adopted. These concern the automotive for use, the software program, the tires provided particularly by Pirelli, and the restricted mileage.
On this context, we can not merely discuss mere coaching—it will be far too reductive. No doubt, the restrictions imposed by the FIA make the job of an F1 staff significantly extra difficult. That’s true. However, there are numerous components that may be examined and, as such, show very helpful for the trigger. On Tuesday morning, Charles Leclerc targeted a part of his session on learning the tires. We coated this matter intimately in a devoted article as a result of, though the tires are completely different, some insights can nonetheless be drawn.
Furthermore, there was a comparability concerning information assortment with the simulator, a vital software in trendy F1 for assessing the accuracy of its correlation with real-world situations. This was a part of the work carried out by the Monegasque, who additionally regained among the confidence misplaced over the previous months in on-track motion. A really helpful coaching session in a number of respects, as he prepares for the true debut on the Bahrain pre-season assessments, the place the brand new automotive will likely be unveiled—hopefully showcasing its wonderful elementary traits within the Center East.
The state of affairs was barely completely different for the seven-time F1 world champion. The driving force from Stevenage is a veteran of the game’s high class, with 20 years of expertise in single-seaters. Nonetheless, he can nonetheless be thought of a “rookie” in the case of his information of Ferrari—each when it comes to its vehicles and the distinctive strategy of the historic Italian staff. Due to this fact, he must undergo a studying curve that may present him with the inspiration to compete with the Scuderia. Lewis is absolutely dedicated to this course of.
On Tuesday afternoon, throughout Ferrari’s second session, it was his flip to take to the observe. The British driver accomplished a number of runs, at all times on the wheel of the SF-23. In keeping with data gathered by the Italian media, Hamilton’s baseline setup differed barely from Leclerc’s. The general downforce degree was the identical however distributed in another way. Hamilton’s driving model is just not a “copy and paste” of Leclerc’s. There are similarities, positive, however some features are distinctly completely different between the 2.
To start with, the British driver’s dealing with could be very easy, resembling that of former Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz. The ex-Mercedes driver additionally prefers a really secure rear finish, whereas Charles, on a number of events, has proven he can handle a extra nervous rear if the advantages outweigh the downsides. Throughout his laps, along with simulating a typical race weekend work program, Lewis paid specific consideration to braking phases. He particularly targeted on trail-braking, a essential method utilized by all F1 drivers.
Within the case of the British driver, it was necessary to deepen his preliminary strategy to Brembo brakes. This includes a exact braking method: making use of heavy strain on the pedal earlier than steadily releasing it because the automotive enters the nook. On the identical time, Hamilton studied the “trailing throttle” to additional stabilize the automotive with a slight quantity of throttle open. Charles is a real grasp of this method, steadily utilizing it in lots of qualifying classes final season. Weight distribution in corners is essential and was a part of Lewis’s coaching.
The seven-time Components 1 world champion additionally labored on the automotive’s setup and apply begins. The beginning system is completely different from Mercedes’, with a definite use of the paddles positioned on the rear of the steering wheel. Moreover, he skilled on the assorted energy unit modes, together with engine mapping for the interior combustion engine and the hybrid system of Ferrari’s energy unit, designated 066/12. On the finish of his second day driving a Ferrari, Hamilton was as soon as once more happy.
The suggestions offered to the staff was extremely constructive as he appears ahead to testing the SF-24 subsequent week, adopted by runs with the most recent piece of aero-mechanical engineering from the Maranello squad. The complete trackside staff was not current, however distant assist from Maranello was out there.
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