Ferrari disappoints itself as soon as once more. In trendy System 1, tire administration is a crucial issue for efficiency. Failing to optimize tire utilization considerably limits a workforce’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 workforce unable to adapt successfully. The Q3 session served as a transparent instance, with the Ferrari drivers showing unsure about tips on how to proceed, compounded by inadequate assist from the pit wall.
Within the sole apply session accessible, Ferrari centered closely on balancing the automobile. They carried out intensive laps utilizing the Exhausting compound to realize constant efficiency. For Qatar, the workforce opted for a medium-high downforce rear wing, a call aligned with most different groups. Whereas not reaching the utmost doable stage, the setup was barely beneath optimum. Important efforts have 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 apply session, whereas in Losail, it was Charles Leclerc’s flip to trial it.
Inspired by constructive suggestions from automobile 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. Through the restricted 60-minute session to fine-tune the automobiles, 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 Delicate 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 automobiles suffered from understeer that transitioned into oversteer throughout nook exits. Whereas the automobiles did generate substantial downforce, a constructive takeaway for the Maranello workforce, the lack to keep up the goal tire temperatures robbed them of crucial grip. This was an sudden setback for Ferrari, which had designed a warm-up technique that originally appeared efficient.
Including to the poor end result was a setup that did not carry out optimally underneath the cooler circumstances. Ferrari was caught off guard, neglecting to make setup changes to counteract the shortage of rotation. As a substitute, they relied on information gathered throughout FP1, satisfied that the correct tire administration technique would yield the specified efficiency. Sadly, this strategy proved ineffective, and as soon as once more, the 2 SF-24 automobiles displayed vital untapped potential. Efficiency that might have made a distinction was left unrealized because of poor execution.
McLaren demonstrated precisely what Ferrari was lacking: glorious steadiness, achieved by means of optimum tire administration. The MCL38 featured a pointy and exact front-end that labored harmoniously with the rear, sustaining secure alignment between the 2 axes. The McLaren automobiles 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 automobile—whereas Ferrari opted for a delayed activation technique, aiming to learn from higher grip throughout the remainder of the lap.
With the Delicate compounds, nevertheless, Ferrari tried to regulate preliminary tire temperatures to enhance efficiency within the first sector. This strategy 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 activity changed into a nightmare, derailing their complete technique throughout the crucial 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 by means of 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 supplied higher grip over a single lap, permitting Russell’s automobile to outperform the SF-24 by way of outright efficiency. Moreover, Russell’s exact dealing with performed an important function in extracting the automobile’s potential.
Lastly, Crimson Bull. Max Verstappen admitted he wasn’t quick sufficient throughout the session. The RB20’s major difficulty was its steadiness. Through the sole apply session, the workforce struggled to seek out an optimum working window for the automobile. 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 difficulty in current weeks. General, the compromise Crimson Bull settled on proved much less efficient than the setups chosen by Ferrari and McLaren.
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