Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc spent two intense days in observe testing at Sakhir, Bahrain. Plenty of scheduled work was efficiently accomplished in all features, so far as we all know. Other than the rain, which was a little bit of a nuisance for each drivers, the exams supplied the crew with a wealth of essential data. A considerable amount of information to course of, extraordinarily helpful for assessing the varied traits of the Ferrari and defining the distinctive traits of the automotive. This was the plan, to stipulate the aerodynamic map and set up the boundaries of the setup.
Inside this aggressive state of affairs, we are able to conduct a primary evaluation concerning driving kinds and different attention-grabbing parameters, serving to us higher perceive the preferences of the 2 drivers on the wheel of the Ferrari SF-25. All of that is made attainable because of the invaluable assist of telemetry. It is a really efficient software that, when used to perfection, permits us on this particular case to look at the conduct and strategy of Ferrari’s two drivers. Let’s subsequently start with a direct comparability between Lewis and Charles, analyzing their quickest laps within the Italian automotive.
To start with, there’s a “suspicion” concerning the setup, as it seems that Charles Leclerc had a extra aerodynamically loaded configuration. We will infer this from the highest speeds and in addition from how he navigates the “snake” in Sector 1: the Monegasque driver tackles this part extra easily, even going flat out in corners 6 and seven, highlighting each the SF-25’s effectiveness in path adjustments and the arrogance he had in finishing this sequence. Within the first three corners, nevertheless, the Englishman’s habits is decisively higher: from his use of the pedals, we discover that he’s barely extra aggressive than Charles Leclerc, getting on the throttle earlier.
On this part alone, he positive factors 0.072 seconds. The remaining benefit constructed by the Briton within the first sector comes from flip 4, which typically induces oversteer on exit: right here, Charles Leclerc struggled greater than Lewis Hamilton all through the session, together with on his quickest lap. Regardless of with the ability to carry extra minimal velocity by means of the middle of the nook, the previous Alfa Romeo driver has to delay full throttle till his wheels are utterly straight. Over the course of the lap, we observe that the Monegasque was nearly all the time quicker in minimal cornering speeds.
One of many causes is straightforward: he makes use of the brake pedal much less to decelerate, relying extra on engine braking. He does this whereas nonetheless managing to provide the automotive the precise rotation. Quite the opposite, generally, Lewis Hamilton tends to hold extra velocity on the finish of the straights, attempting to brake as late as attainable. This strategy typically forces him to make use of the left pedal greater than essential to keep away from understeer.
Because the lap continues, each Ferrari drivers had been flawless in flip 13, the place the SF-25 struggled on Wednesday, primarily because of excessive setups. Lewis Hamilton himself confirmed this, because the engineers wanted to know the automotive’s limits to outline the aerodynamic map. On the second day of testing, the entrance of the Ferrari was very sharp, permitting it to hit the apex exactly, with the rear following easily with none indicators of instability.
Moreover, as soon as once more, we are able to recognize Charles Leclerc’s most well-liked approach: trailing-throttle. From what we have now seen, he’s the one driver on the whole grid who makes use of it, as it is rather troublesome to execute successfully.
Within the analyzed lap, Charles Leclerc retains a slight quantity of throttle open even whereas cornering. The explanation stays the identical: balancing the automotive’s weight, shifting it from the entrance to the rear, and consequently placing down all the facility from the 066/15 energy unit sooner. The truth that the Monegasque driver makes use of this system is a optimistic signal, because it proves that the SF-25’s entrance finish holds up nicely regardless of the burden switch towards the rear axle.
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