Even earlier than the summer time break, Frederic Vasseur had his sights set on the races following the Dutch Grand Prix, contemplating them extra favorable to Ferrari’s traits. Some, like Fernando Alonso, even imagine that between Monza, Baku, and Singapore, the Ferrari would be the automotive to beat. Whereas positioning the Prancing Horse as the favourite for the house race could appear overly optimistic, there are nonetheless a number of causes to count on a extra aggressive Ferrari than what was seen within the Netherlands.
The primary motive for hope in Maranello is the arrival at Monza of the third evolutionary package deal of the 2024 Components 1 season, the primary for the reason that Spanish Grand Prix final June. A key issue for a aggressive Ferrari weekend might be making certain that the on-track habits of the updates matches the expectations set on the manufacturing facility. The precedence of the brand new package deal is to scale back the sensitivity to bouncing that the SF-24 has suffered from for the reason that begin of the season, with the issue turning into extra acute for the reason that race in Barcelona. Quick corners like Parabolica-Alboreto and Variante Ascari might be essential in verifying whether or not the problem is lastly underneath management.
In current months, the bouncing points have considerably affected the efficiency of the Ferrari in quick corners, significantly at Silverstone. At Spa, nonetheless, the staff used a compromise setup, elevating the automotive to scale back sensitivity to porpoising however sacrificing some aerodynamic downforce from the ground. This negatively impacted general aerodynamic effectivity, particularly on the straights. Eliminating bouncing at Monza would enable Ferrari to regain effectivity and straight-line pace, with the hope of returning to the degrees seen in the beginning of the season when Ferrari excelled in high-speed corners.
Another excuse for optimism for Ferrari at Monza is the absence of lengthy, medium-to-low-speed corners. This has been a persistent weak point of the SF-24, uncovered by the various hairpins at Zandvoort, significantly the difficult Flip 10. Lastly, the Italian Grand Prix returns to a Mediterranean local weather, with ambient temperatures anticipated to exceed 30°C. These circumstances are favorable for Ferrari, which has typically managed to hit the optimum tire working window in such climate.
McLaren at 50%
All eyes are on final Sunday’s winners. It couldn’t be in any other case, with Lando Norris managing to tug a median hole of over three-tenths per lap on each Verstappen and Leclerc within the second stint of the race, with uncertainty about how a lot the British driver was really pushing to the restrict. Nevertheless, Monza just isn’t Zandvoort, the place the hairpins highlighted the excessive downforce generated by the McLarens at medium-to-low speeds. Moreover, it’s unlikely that the Woking staff will discover the delicate temperatures in Italy that the MCL38 loved within the Netherlands.
The primary concern, nonetheless, revolves round efficiency with the low-drag configuration usually used for Monza. In comparison with final season, McLaren has made progress in low-drag effectivity, however at Spa, Staff Principal Andrea Stella admitted that growth on this space was incomplete: “I believe we’re 50% of the way in which there. I’m satisfied that in high-downforce configuration, the automotive is properly arrange and does precisely what we wish, particularly by way of aerodynamic habits. Nevertheless, we haven’t but developed a lot by way of lowering aerodynamic drag.” McLaren isn’t coming into Monza feeling defeated, but it surely does seem extra ‘human’ in comparison with the dominant performances seen in Budapest and Zandvoort.
Purple Bull Uncertainty
On high-efficiency tracks with high-speed corners, like Monza, the world champions’ automotive stays the one to beat. “If we have a look at high-speed corners, Purple Bull continues to be by far the most effective automotive,” Andrea Stella remarked in Zandvoort. Nevertheless, the Milton Keynes staff is experiencing some confusion, with driving difficulties, steadiness, and setup points rising through the season’s growth.
To evaluate the scenario within the Netherlands, the 2 Purple Bulls ran with totally different configurations, with Perez utilizing the early-season flooring and Verstappen the most recent model. “The optimistic factor is that now we perceive what’s occurring with the automotive,” famous the Mexican driver. “Now it’s all about how rapidly we will remedy the issues, however we all know what they’re and what we’re lacking.” Purple Bull heads to Monza unsure about which flooring to make use of, however that’s not the one query. There’s additionally curiosity about whether or not a devoted low-drag aerodynamic package deal might be introduced from Milton Keynes, one thing that was absent through the earlier race in Belgium.
Lastly, there’s Mercedes, whose hopes for Monza hinge on the competitiveness proven at Spa and Silverstone, different high-efficiency tracks with loads of quick corners. Nevertheless, Toto Wolff isn’t satisfied that the disappointing efficiency at Zandvoort is solely because of the traits of the Belgian observe. There may very well be a correlation with the brand new flooring, which is anticipated to be intently watched throughout the Italian weekend.
A Fully New Monza
Including to the uncertainties is the current resurfacing of the Autodromo, which continues to be missing rubber. A fast evolution of the observe is anticipated over the weekend, with groups needing to regulate steadiness and downforce ranges in keeping with the precise grip ranges encountered. Particular consideration must be given to the curbs, that are decrease than in earlier years, encouraging groups to stiffen suspension mechanics to boost the ground’s aerodynamics. The precedence might be to benefit from each minute on observe, suggesting a weekend value following intently from the free follow classes. It’s a Grand Prix that Ferrari doesn’t enter as the favourite, however with loads of legitimate causes to imagine in a powerful efficiency.
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