With just one free follow session accessible throughout a Dash weekend, such a powerful exhibiting in Qatar appeared unlikely. Nonetheless, Ferrari took a daring step by bringing again the experimental ground first launched in Las Vegas. After its preliminary use within the U.S., the place it was primarily used for information assortment, the ground made its return on Charles Leclerc’s automobile in Losail. Right here’s what the telemetry evaluation reveals when evaluating Ferrari’s outdated and new flooring throughout the quickest laps in Qatar FP1.
In 2024, Ferrari launched a number of iterations of the SF-24’s ground. Following the debut’s baseline model, an replace was rolled out in Barcelona, which negatively impacted the efficiency of each Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz. That model later developed into the Monza ground, designed with a forward-looking strategy towards 2025. The Qatar model, beforehand seen in Las Vegas, represents not simply an evolution however a revolution of its predecessor.
Vital modifications have been made, particularly to the ground’s edges, basically altering the conduct of this crucial aerodynamic element. These modifications drastically improved airflow administration below the automobile. Based mostly on onboard footage and telemetry information, the brand new ground delivered positive factors even in slower corners (Flip 6), regardless of a stiffer setup aimed toward enhancing efficiency by high-speed sections.
Supply: fingenerale
Supply: fingenerale
The comparability within the 7-8-9 sequence, regardless of these being long-radius corners, is especially promising. Whereas Carlos Sainz needed to carry barely between Turns 8 and 9, Charles Leclerc stored the throttle absolutely open with out dropping grip, as proven by the acceleration graph. Charles Leclerc’s inputs have been a lot cleaner, sustaining 100% throttle all through.
An much more spectacular consequence for the brand new ground is obvious within the horseshoe part (Turns 12-13-14). Final 12 months, Ferrari was pressured to carry off considerably, dropping mid-corner pace. Whereas the Monza ground on Carlos Sainz’s automobile represents a major enchancment, the Spaniard nonetheless needed to carry barely to take care of turn-in stability.
Supply: fingenerale
Supply: fingenerale
Charles Leclerc, nevertheless, managed to take the primary a part of the sequence flat out, confirmed by acceleration information exhibiting no pace loss. The important thing distinction got here within the cornering section, the place Charles Leclerc maintained a mean pace 10 km/h larger than his teammate.
Now Ferrari faces an important determination: proceed utilizing the brand new ground for the rest of the weekend or reserve it for additional refinement forward of 2025. Whatever the alternative, the primary product from the brand new wind tunnel has exceeded expectations. Furthermore, it has addressed a crucial weak spot of the SF-24: warming up the entrance tires. That is particularly necessary at Losail, a circuit identified for being front-limited.
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