Scuderia Ferrari approaches the Qatar dash race, the final of the 2024 Method 1 World Championship, with the need to offer its finest. Sadly, qualifying went poorly for the Maranello crew. The explanations are primarily attributable to 2 elements. We consult with the shortcoming to handle the environmental circumstances of the aggressive context and, consequently, to the activation and upkeep of the goal temperatures on the tires. A situation already seen and bitterly skilled throughout different race weekends, the place the 2 SF-24 vehicles had been unable to extract most efficiency. And it’s really a disgrace, as a result of on the 5.419-kilometre Lusail Worldwide Circuit in Qatar the Italian facet might have achieved effectively.
The potential is there, and this might even be seen as excellent news. Nonetheless, the same old incapability to carry out at their finest dashes the hopes of the Prancing Horse in nurturing the dream of the Constructors’ World Championship. McLaren was, and has confirmed to be, the favourite. Immediately, within the Dash Race, it clearly aimed to safe a one-two end that might seal the title for the British crew. Ferrari could have the prospect to regulate the setup of its vehicles earlier than the second qualifying session—a transfer that the Maranello crew now intends to make however didn’t contemplate worthwhile yesterday.
And but it was, as a result of the cooler-than-expected temperatures on the Losail monitor created a situation completely different from what was anticipated within the simulator. There’s nothing left to do however push and “give it all the things,” as Ferrari crew principal Frederic Vasseur acknowledged within the standard pre-weekend discussions with media from all over the world. As a result of, till confirmed in any other case, in trendy Method 1, you by no means know what may occur. Most focus, readability at first, and a race wherein injury limitation have to be the purpose. This was the goal of a crew that may nonetheless carry out effectively over the course of the Qatari weekend.
Now let’s take an in depth take a look at how occasions unfolded for the 2 Ferrari drivers within the Qatar dash race primarily based on the onboard footage from the 2 SF-24 single-seaters:
There at the moment are only some minutes left earlier than the beginning of the 100 kilometer race. The vehicles are lined up on the beginning grid. Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz are about to climb aboard their vehicles after reviewing the most recent info with their respective engineers. It will likely be attention-grabbing to see how the beginning is managed. On one hand, the necessity to push to recuperate some positions at first. On the opposite, the need of not excessively stressing the tires, thereby shortening the helpful lifetime of the rubber, which, it must be remembered, should final your complete stint with out being changed. Therefore, the necessity to handle them as successfully as doable.
Let’s check out the final circumstances earlier than diving into the narrative: the air temperature is 21.4°C, and the monitor floor temperature is 26.7°C. Humidity is pretty excessive at 53%, and the wind blows from the north at 3.8 kilometers per hour. We’re ready for the reconnaissance lap. It’s price mentioning that the monitor floor is about 5°C hotter, and temperatures will rise considerably in the course of the race. It’s going to subsequently be attention-grabbing to know how tire degradation is managed. Routine communication checks are happening, with Carlos Sainz taking the chance to debate the entrance wing in relation to the downforce load put in on the entrance finish to make sure correct stability.
The Ferrari drivers are knowledgeable that everybody within the prime ten has chosen the scrubbed Medium compound, the identical tire utilized by the 2 SF-24s. Engines are fired up. In the course of the set up lap, the purpose is to succeed in the goal temperature earlier than repositioning on the beginning grid. Carlos Sainz performs 4 burnouts to warmth his rear tires, whereas Charles does 4.5. We’re prepared, ready just for the inexperienced gentle. The Spaniard will get off to a poor begin and, in attempting to defend in opposition to his teammate’s assaults, barely hinders him, permitting Lewis Hamilton to take benefit and move Charles Leclerc.
Oscar Piastri reveals nice talent, overtaking George Russell at first, placing the 2 McLarens answerable for the race. The grip for the Italian vehicles is just not nice. Furthermore, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz are instructed to save lots of tires in turns 9 and 14. Observing the dashboard of the Ferrari vehicles, it’s noticeable that the tires stay beneath their ultimate temperature till lap 3, when the compounds start offering extra grip. Additional care is suggested for the tires in turns 5 and 12 as effectively. The 2 Ferraris regularly acquire confidence; Carlos Sainz closes in on the highest three, whereas the Monegasque driver stays behind Lewis at a protected distance in the intervening time.
Saturation in flip 7 have to be monitored on this Method 1 period that many name “tire components,” which constantly repeats the identical tiresome thread, considerably limiting efficiency. An additional gear in flip 4 for the Spaniard, one level much less on the mid-corner differential for Charles Leclerc to help rotation—these are the solutions given to the Ferrari drivers on lap 7. The mini race is moderately predictable. Nothing noteworthy occurs on the entrance. With ten laps remaining, it seems the Monegasque is closing in on Hamilton’s Mercedes.
Steadily, the pack compresses, with the highest six vehicles inside a five-second span. Charles Leclerc pushes laborious and, on lap 12, manages to overhaul his future teammate utilizing the drag discount system on the finish of the principle straight. Carlos Sainz makes an attempt to shut in on George Russell, who, in flip, is glued to Oscar Piastri’s rear wing. Curiously, the 2 Ferrari vehicles aren’t affected by understeer, whereas the 2 McLarens exhibit slight over-rotation, primarily on account of their aggressive cornering. The race slips away with simply three laps remaining.
The Spanish driver didn’t relent for a second however was by no means capable of problem the drivers forward. In the meantime, the Monegasque reclaimed the place he misplaced to his future Ferrari teammate at first of the Qatar dash race. George Russell made quite a few makes an attempt to overhaul the Australian driver in entrance of him, however the latter defended skillfully all through. No matter whether or not one likes the Dash Race format, this monitor doesn’t appear suited to it, given the structure and environmental circumstances that restrict pleasure.
Scuderia Ferrari subsequently pays a heavy worth for a poor efficiency within the Dash qualifying session on Friday. McLaren secures 15 factors with a one-two end, whereas the Italian facet, with fourth and fifth locations, solely earns 9 factors. This implies the hole of 24 factors will increase to 30 with two races remaining—tomorrow’s race after which the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Though the Ferrari drivers gave their throughout these 100 kilometers, the result’s definitely removed from passable.
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