Ferrari is at a vital juncture. Extremely, it’s nonetheless competing for the 2024 Method 1 Constructors’ Championship title, an surprising state of affairs. The Maranello staff started the season with a stable basis. The preliminary updates had been promising, though they didn’t absolutely ship the estimated good points from the design section 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 problem, issues would undoubtedly be totally different.
Final week’s Qatar Grand Prix noticed the Maranello staff claw again 3 factors from McLaren throughout the 2 races. It may have been far worse had Lando Norris not been penalized in a quite naive method. That penalty retains the Italian staff’s hopes alive forward of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Recovering 21 factors with out help from the Woking staff itself is not going to be a simple activity. A hypothetical Ferrari one-two end, as an example, wouldn’t suffice if each MCL38 vehicles end proper behind Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz. This highlights how difficult Ferrari’s mission is.
Ferrari staff principal Frederic Vasseur just isn’t giving up, nor are the drivers. Believing till the top prices nothing. Nonetheless, imagining the Maranello squad attaining a one-two end on the 5.281-kilometre Yas Marina Circuit on Yas Island is troublesome, particularly contemplating Ferrari has by no means received in Abu Dhabi. Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc are nonetheless motivated, prepared to present their all and capitalize on any errors by McLaren. A staff 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 contains a technical and sophisticated structure, characterised by a mixture of straights and medium-speed corners that demand a stability 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 ultimate sector. Balancing aerodynamics and mechanics might 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 persistently, adapting nicely 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 function that might enable Ferrari to recuperate in nook entry, an space the place weaknesses emerged in 2023. Nonetheless, traction, much less stable in comparison with final season, represents a big problem. The Maranello staff is assured, although, that it may optimize this facet to realize a great outcome. The direct battle with McLaren would be the focus of the weekend, as the 2 groups compete for the Constructors’ Championship title. The 2 vehicles are anticipated to “construct their lap” in an identical method on this kind of circuit.
With extra medium-speed corners in comparison with the gradual ones within the outdated Method 1 structure, 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 may reply, making this comparability intriguing. Each groups will work on particular setups, with Ferrari seemingly 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 might 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 assessments in the course of the first free apply 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 presently discovering correlation between simulation environments and the monitor.
The compromise between aerodynamics and mechanics might be decisive. The historic Maranello staff 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 total stability might be a central focus all through the weekend to optimize efficiency.
Tire administration might be a key issue. It is going to be important to take care of optimum rear-end temperatures, particularly within the ultimate 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 beneath 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 might be vital to the ultimate results of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
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