Scuderia Ferrari has achieved lots of work on the simulator. In System 1, each element counts to make a distinction, particularly on a technical monitor just like the 4.94-kilometre Marina Bay Road Circuit. The primary setup correction made yesterday labored. The dearth of rotation disappeared, giving technique to slight oversteer on the exit. Charles Leclerc confirmed ability in managing the SF-24, whereas his Maranello teammate struggled extra. A small brake problem, which solely occurred within the second half of FP2, additionally mentally blocked the Spaniard, affecting his confidence.
Can the Marina Bay model of Ferrari struggle for pole place and consequently for the win? It’s not simple to reply. We will say that the possibilities are there as a result of the potential to beat the tremendous McLaren appears current. Furthermore, on the slim streets of the Asian circuit, the drivers’ expertise can clearly improve the success charge. The perfect drivers will have the ability to exploit each inch of the monitor to go quicker, brushing the partitions. The steadiness of the Ferrari is excellent however nonetheless must make the ultimate step.
Ferrari determined to make some tweaks to the suspension system. In line with simulations, this transfer ought to present extra efficiency to each vehicles, giving Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz a concrete probability to struggle on the high. Nevertheless, it is going to be vital to keep away from taking a deceptive path with the setup. We are saying this as a result of it wouldn’t be the primary time it occurs, a situation that may make the automobile lose its appropriate working level, forcing a return to the earlier setup with out bettering in comparison with yesterday. The Maranello group, it appears, is assured in what they’re doing.
For now, let’s take an in depth take a look at how occasions unfolded for the 2 Ferrari drivers within the last free apply session for the Singapore Grand Prix, in situations that had been very completely different from these which groups and drivers will encounter within the qualifying session later at this time.
The same old checks on the Italian vehicles have simply been accomplished: energy unit, braking system, hybrid system, and transmission. Every part appears to be working completely. The brand new entrance wing has been authorized and can once more be showcased at this time on the winding Marina Bay circuit. Earlier than we start, let’s check out the climate: air temperature at 30.5°C, monitor temperature at 37.2°C. Humidity is 77%, with a wind velocity of 0.5 km/h from the northwest. Every part is prepared for the monitor session. The Ferrari drivers are aboard their SF-24 vehicles, ready for the inexperienced flag.
The mechanics sign the Ferrari drivers to go away the pit lane. For this primary run of the third free apply session, each SF-24 vehicles are fitted with a set of yellow-banded Pirelli tires. It must be famous that final evening’s heavy downpour made the monitor inexperienced once more. Ferrari race engineers Riccardo Adami and Bryan Bozzi remind the drivers of the FP2 references with the Medium tires, that are vital for understanding the monitor situations at this second. The tires are warmed up, after which they change to push mode for the primary flying lap, testing the monitor with out pushing too onerous.
Throughout the cooling lap for the tires, the standard recommendation is available in to optimize dealing with. After the only, very sluggish cool-down lap, it’s again to enterprise. Carlos Sainz is compelled to appropriate the automobile in sector 2 and practically crashes into the wall. Thankfully, the Spaniard managed to regulate the SF-24 in the midst of the nook when the rear stepped out. In distinction, Charles Leclerc accomplished the lap with out too many points. After two laps to check the automobile, they now change to Engine Mode 1 for a extra correct evaluation of the Italian automobile.
We’re ready for this try to speak about steadiness. Carlos Sainz manages to discover a balanced lap with no corrections on the steering wheel. A clear lap, briefly. In the meantime, Charles Leclerc, maybe as a result of he tried to push too onerous, determined to carry within the second sector. He did this as a result of his driving wasn’t clear. We will say the Ferrari’s steadiness is superb. Carlos Sainz returns to the pits whereas his Maranello teammate stays on monitor for an additional push lap, taking the highest spot on the leaderboard.
So as to add extra particulars, it appears the setup tweaks have additional balanced the Italian vehicles. Excellent news, then. Charles Leclerc is sort of happy, as you possibly can inform from the tone of his radio communications. Carlos Sainz, however, nonetheless wants to realize confidence with the SF-24. In actual fact, the Spaniard handed by way of the pits for a setup adjustment, satisfied he may enhance issues. And certainly, his efficiency improved, following intently behind his teammate, nonetheless utilizing the worn yellow-banded tires. He stays on monitor for an additional two laps.
Riccardo Adami asks him to finish a lap with most energy from the inner combustion engine, with out utilizing the DRS system. The aim is evident: to check the Ferrari’s efficiency with out assistance from the rear wing to evaluate the automobile’s aerodynamic effectivity. An attention-grabbing data-gathering train to know the SF-24’s drag worth. In the meantime, Charles is again on the monitor, nonetheless with the yellow-banded Pirellis. The setup refinement work continues earlier than switching to the Gentle tires for further grip.
Over the last quarter-hour of the third free apply session for the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix, the historic Ferrari group was prepared to check the SF-24’s capabilities on the red-banded Pirelli tires. The purpose was to attain an ideal warm-up cycle with a view to entry the utmost grip these tires can provide. The tire warm-up course of was dealt with fastidiously, utilizing varied settings and particular racing strains to inject power into the tire carcass. Then, earlier than the final nook, they switched to push mode earlier than going full throttle.
Carlos Sainz managed a reasonably clear lap, although he encountered lots of visitors throughout his try. The Spaniard wasn’t glad along with his efficiency, satisfied he may have achieved a lot better. In the meantime, Charles Leclerc lifted in Flip 1 as he exceeded monitor limits. The Monegasque driver launched one other lap afterward however encountered visitors in sector 1, which disturbed him barely. Carlos Sainz returned to the pits, adopted by his teammate. On the in-lap, the Monegasque reported a common lack of grip. There wasn’t sufficient time for an additional adjustment, so after a fast pit cease, it was again on monitor.
There was lots of chatter on the radio between the engineers and drivers, making an attempt to know what wasn’t working. It appears the problem was primarily associated to tire activation, which didn’t work as anticipated. Within the second try, issues didn’t enhance. There was a common lack of grip throughout your entire monitor. Not signal simply hours earlier than qualifying, the place grip can be important for the struggle on the high. Ferrari wants to determine enhance the efficiency on the Gentle tires and generate the correct amount of power into the tire. The collected information can be helpful for this.
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