Within the 2025 System 1 Bahrain Grand Prix, Ferrari confirmed combined indicators throughout the assorted stints of the race. Whereas the SF-25 single-seater benefited from the medium tires throughout the center section of the Sakhir race, it confronted vital difficulties with the laborious compound in the direction of the tip, particularly in managing the rear finish. Particularly, the Maranello automotive initially had a major benefit within the quicker sections.
This attribute pale within the closing stage of the Bahrain Grand Prix. In an effort to higher perceive the causes, we analyze a comparability of the typical velocity between the primary and final stints of the race, evaluating the 2 Ferrari drivers, alongside Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen. The comparability goals to spotlight the variations in gasoline ranges, that are contrasted by a extra full evaluation.
Within the first stint, by analyzing the telemetry information, we are able to see that Max Verstappen, due to the slipstreams in the course of the pack, is the quickest on the finish of the principle straight. The four-time System 1 world champion, with the assistance of the drag discount system, has an Finish of Straight Pace that’s 30 kilometers per hour quicker than Oscar Piastri. An analogous dynamic happens within the second part of the circuit, with the Dutchman managing to construct a niche of about half a second earlier than the braking zone of flip 4.
Nevertheless, as could be seen from the telemetry information, the world champion loses all of the benefit gained in turns 4 and eight, the place he’s pressured to brake earlier and undertake a extra conservative strategy in traction. Charles Leclerc, however, maximizes the deceleration section in flip 1, gaining round two tenths simply on this sector. Moreover, the Monegasque driver is much less conservative within the snake part and switch 12, the place — much like Lewis Hamilton — he carries extra velocity.
These high-G corners are very taxing on the tires, which have a tendency to boost the tread temperature. Each Ferrari drivers took benefit of the Pirelli yellow-banded tire, which, due to its development, is much less susceptible to temperature will increase because of lateral forces. As additionally seen from the telemetry information, within the lengthy flip 12, Charles Leclerc modulates the throttle much less and beneficial properties a couple of tenth over Oscar Piastri.
Unable to utilize many slipstreams, the Australian driver optimizes the benefit of fresh air, carrying larger velocity by the middle of the corners. It’s also attention-grabbing to notice that he’s extra cautious throughout the braking section between turns 1 and 4. With the entrance axle colder after the 2 straights, the McLaren driver adopts a extra conservative strategy, displaying a faster brake launch section in corners 8, 11, and 13. In these sections, the tire temperatures are larger and supply extra grip throughout turn-in.
Shifting focus to the ultimate stage of the Bahrain Grand Prix, with lighter automobiles, it’s noticed that Max Verstappen’s place in the course of the pack as soon as once more favored his prime velocity. Essentially the most attention-grabbing information comes from the comparability between the 2 Ferrari automobiles and Oscar Piastri. With laborious tires, the Maranello automobiles struggled essentially the most within the closing section of the race. The information reveals that the principle situation was the rear finish on exit.
The rear was unable to supply sufficient grip to stabilize the automotive. This lack of steadiness was attributable to a really imprecise entrance finish throughout turn-in, which triggered extreme sliding on exit. Because of this, essentially the most important areas — the place Oscar Piastri gained essentially the most floor — had been the exits from the slower corners.
Furthermore, because of the weaker rear finish, the benefit we beforehand mentioned within the quicker sections was not current. Each within the snake and at flip 12, it was Oscar Piastri who reached the very best speeds earlier than the braking zones, regardless that he was in a section of managing his F1 automotive in flip 12, the place he modulated the throttle extra.
Charles Leclerc’s try to defend the rostrum doubtless accelerated the efficiency drop of the laborious tires in the direction of the tip of the race on the 5.412-kilometre Bahrain Worldwide Circuit in Sakhir. This issue was subtly talked about by the Monegasque in some post-race feedback. The battle between Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris and the one between Charles Leclerc and his defenders prevented the drivers from sustaining a powerful tempo within the closing laps, though, in any case, the laborious tires don’t swimsuit the Italian automotive.
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