Ferrari is at a essential juncture. Extremely, it’s nonetheless competing for the 2024 Method 1 Constructors’ Championship title, an sudden scenario. The Maranello crew started the season with a strong basis. The preliminary updates had been promising, though they didn’t totally ship the estimated beneficial properties from the design part on monitor. Then, as has been the case for a while, the SF-24’s optimum working vary was misplaced this yr. With out this situation, issues would undoubtedly be totally different.
Final week’s Qatar Grand Prix noticed the Maranello crew claw again 3 factors from McLaren throughout the 2 races. It may have been far worse had Lando Norris not been penalized in a reasonably naive method. That penalty retains the Italian crew’s hopes alive forward of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Recovering 21 factors with out help from the Woking crew itself won’t be a straightforward activity. A hypothetical Ferrari one-two end, as an illustration, wouldn’t suffice if each MCL38 automobiles end proper behind Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz. This highlights how difficult Ferrari’s mission is.
Ferrari crew principal Frederic Vasseur isn’t giving up, nor are the drivers. Believing till the top prices nothing. Nonetheless, imagining the Maranello squad reaching a one-two end on the 5.281-kilometre Yas Marina Circuit on Yas Island is tough, particularly contemplating Ferrari has by no means received in Abu Dhabi. Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc are however motivated, prepared to provide their all and capitalize on any errors by McLaren. A crew that, had it optimized outcomes over the season, would have already got the Constructors’ Trophy secured. This offers Ferrari a sliver of hope, dreaming of one other present from its rivals.
The Abu Dhabi monitor incorporates a technical and sophisticated format, characterised by a mixture of straights and medium-speed corners that demand a steadiness between aerodynamic downforce and mechanical traction. The comparatively uniform monitor floor floor doesn’t pose important challenges in tire administration, however the area’s sometimes excessive temperatures place thermal stress on the tires, making thermal administration essential, significantly within the remaining sector. Balancing aerodynamics and mechanics can be important for tackling the circuit.
The monitor rewards aerodynamic effectivity and lateral grip however penalizes compromises in rear-end administration. Ferrari arrives at a circuit that has traditionally highlighted the strengths of the Maranello automobile. Over the previous two years, the automobile has carried out constantly, adapting effectively to a monitor combining straights, technical corners, and prolonged stretches. Final yr, the SF-23 constructed its laps primarily on nook exits, gaining from the apex onward. Nonetheless, it misplaced floor to Purple Bull in nook entry phases.
This yr, the SF-24 single-seater has proven a very responsive entrance finish, a characteristic that might permit Ferrari to recuperate in nook entry, an space the place weaknesses emerged in 2023. Nonetheless, traction, much less strong in comparison with final season, represents a big problem. The Maranello crew is assured, although, that it could optimize this side to realize a great consequence. The direct battle with McLaren would be the focus of the weekend, as the 2 groups compete for the Constructors’ Championship title. The 2 automobiles are anticipated to “construct their lap” in an identical method on this sort of circuit.
With extra medium-speed corners in comparison with the gradual ones within the outdated Method 1 format, each groups exhibit complementary traits. McLaren has considerably improved its top-speed parameter, specifically finish of straight velocity, in comparison with the final Method 1 season. Nonetheless, Ferrari has proven it could reply, making this comparability intriguing. Each groups will work on particular setups, with Ferrari probably choosing a medium-downforce wing mixed with an efficient beam wing configuration and a ground able to producing clear downforce and bettering stability.
Managing experience heights can be essential to deal with any bumps alongside the circuit and keep away from compromising efficiency. Final season, a number of groups struggled with points, requesting some bumps to be flattened. Ferrari would possibly verify using its newest up to date ground, significantly within the sharp edge space. In Qatar, after some constant-speed exams throughout the first free follow session, this main part was confirmed on Charles Leclerc’s automobile. That is additionally a optimistic signal for the 2025 Method 1 automobile, because it signifies that they’re at the moment discovering correlation between simulation environments and the monitor.
The compromise between aerodynamics and mechanics can be decisive. The historic Maranello crew would possibly select a barely softer setup to maximise suspension efficiency on the monitor’s irregularities and enhance cornering grip, whereas McLaren would possibly go for stiffer options to reinforce the effectivity of the floor-diffuser group, a key issue of their effectiveness in medium-speed corners final yr. In any case, the automobile’s general steadiness can be a central focus all through the weekend to optimize efficiency.
Tire administration can be a key issue. It will likely be important to keep up optimum rear-end temperatures, particularly within the remaining sector, the place minor sliding may push the rear axle out of its supreme working window. Final yr, Ferrari accomplished the primary sector with the rear finish under the goal temperature and might want to work on bettering this to make sure constant tire administration all through the lap. The strategic alternative of tires and their dynamic administration can be essential to the ultimate results of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
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