The eve of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix within the Ferrari camp started with the motto of believing and pushing till the top to keep away from any regrets. The constructors’ title didn’t go to Maranello, however on this decisive weekend, the group left no stone unturned, although the weekend turned difficult earlier than the apply periods, as a result of battery substitute on Charles Leclerc’s SF-24.
After the race, Ferrari group principal Frederic Vasseur defined that past efficiency issues, the true difficulty prompting the substitute was the chance of a race retirement, one thing the Italian facet clearly couldn’t afford given the objective of protecting their championship hopes alive. Undoubtedly, the penalty was a bitter observe to begin the weekend, which was additional difficult by Charles Leclerc’s lap time cancellation in Q2, successfully sending him to the again of the grid.
The evening between Saturday and Sunday was filled with deliberation, particularly relating to whether or not to exchange the Energy Unit. Ultimately, they determined to stay with the unit already mounted on the automobile. This choice made sense, because the degradation of the inner combustion engine over its life cycle has been decreased, notably since groups have targeted extra on reliability than pure energy following the freeze.
What shocked most was the choice to begin on medium tires, not solely as a result of there was at all times the chance that contact might additional compromise the race but in addition as a result of the arduous tire doubtlessly supplied better strategic flexibility in a race the place there have been nonetheless some doubts, regardless of the final intention to intention for a one-stop technique. It’s no coincidence that groups stored a second set of arduous tires as a backup.
It was an all-in on the beginning, and it paid off, realistically exceeding Ferrari’s finest expectations. To know why this was a daring alternative and, above all, an attacking technique, we have to return twelve months to final 12 months’s GP. Even then, restricted tire degradation would have allowed for a one-stop technique, however some groups’ early pit stops created a domino impact, shifting the race in direction of two stops.
This situation re-emerged this 12 months. Pirelli’s calculations instructed {that a} one-stop technique ought to have been just a few seconds sooner than a two-stop, typically encouraging groups to intention for one cease whereas managing degradation. Nevertheless, if final 12 months’s scenario repeated, the race might have shifted to 2 stops, which a number of groups thought of at one level in the course of the Grand Prix.
Thus, the arduous tire might have been a cautious however logical alternative. Whereas it could not have supplied distinctive grip at first, it could have allowed for an extended stint, observing opponents’ methods, and doubtlessly capitalizing on a Security Automotive at an opportune second. This was Mercedes’ reasoning, whereas Ferrari instantly clarified their attacking technique. If the beginning had not gone nicely, recovering with the identical tires because the rivals would undoubtedly have required rethinking many features mid-race.
Conversely, Ferrari’s gamble on an aggressive race paid off higher than anticipated. Charles Leclerc’s sensible first lap was aided by a little bit of luck, with some favorable incidents, however his means to extract the utmost, discover house, consider in himself, and make a distinction stood out. Rising to eighth place instantly put the Monegasque ready to doubtlessly battle top-tier rivals on equal strategic footing at a degree within the race when the successful tactic was nonetheless unclear.
Finally, the medium tire turned from a possible threat into one of many keys to the rostrum. Charles Leclerc continued to climb the standings, reaching fourth place, earlier than dealing with the problem of George Russell, who was barely off type this weekend in comparison with different races after dedicating a part of apply to experimental testing for the 2025 System 1 season.
Though Charles Leclerc had good tempo, overtaking in Abu Dhabi is difficult, particularly when getting into soiled air, which will increase tire sliding within the third sector. This led Ferrari to deliberate on their subsequent transfer: after Mercedes didn’t take the bait on a feint geared toward pushing them right into a pit cease, Ferrari determined to tug the set off and name in Charles Leclerc.
At a time when different groups had already stopped, shifting the race in direction of two pit stops, Ferrari’s choice was not with out doubts. The pit window was roughly the identical as final 12 months when the race shifted to 2 stops, making the chance of a repeat vital. If the arduous tire held, Charles Leclerc would want to finish 38 laps on the identical set. Moreover, stopping early risked encountering visitors from drivers like Pierre Gasly and Nico Hulkenberg, who had modified tires 5–6 laps earlier.
Stopping early was an aggressive but calculated alternative, as additionally they stored an eye fixed on Lewis Hamilton, lower than ten seconds behind and clearly on a one-stop technique. Just like the preliminary medium tire alternative, this daring choice paid off, not solely as a result of the undercut labored but in addition as a result of the race unfolded as Ferrari had hoped.
Wanting on the first stint on arduous tires, many doubted whether or not the toughest compound might final till the top, and there was hypothesis in regards to the subsequent pit window. When requested in code if he thought the tires might go the gap, even Charles Leclerc expressed doubts.
Nevertheless, lap by lap, degradation proved manageable, shifting the race from a two-stop to a one-stop technique, making Ferrari’s alternative efficient, particularly towards Lewis Hamilton.
Charles Leclerc’s comeback boiled down to 2 key elements: his means to ship a surprising first lap and keep sturdy tempo in key race moments, and Ferrari’s daring technique. The Maranello group took dangers in a Grand Prix the place they aimed to grab their possibilities till the top, leaving no room for remorse.
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