The eve of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix within the Ferrari camp started with the motto of believing and pushing till the top to keep away from any regrets. The constructors’ title didn’t go to Maranello, however on this decisive weekend, the crew left no stone unturned, though the weekend turned difficult earlier than the follow periods, as a result of battery substitute on Charles Leclerc’s SF-24.
After the race, Ferrari crew principal Frederic Vasseur defined that past efficiency issues, the true problem prompting the substitute was the danger of a race retirement, one thing the Italian aspect clearly couldn’t afford given the aim of maintaining their championship hopes alive. Undoubtedly, the penalty was a bitter be aware to start out the weekend, which was additional difficult by Charles Leclerc’s lap time cancellation in Q2, successfully sending him to the again of the grid.
The evening between Saturday and Sunday was stuffed with deliberation, particularly relating to whether or not to interchange the Energy Unit. Ultimately, they determined to stay with the unit already mounted on the automotive. This resolution made sense, because the degradation of the interior combustion engine over its life cycle has been diminished, notably since groups have centered extra on reliability than pure energy following the freeze.
What stunned most was the choice to start out on medium tires, not solely as a result of there was at all times the danger that contact may additional compromise the race but additionally as a result of the arduous tire doubtlessly provided larger strategic flexibility in a race the place there have been nonetheless some doubts, regardless of the overall intention to intention for a one-stop technique. It’s no coincidence that groups stored a second set of arduous tires as a backup.
It was an all-in on the beginning, and it paid off, realistically exceeding Ferrari’s finest expectations. To grasp why this was a daring alternative and, above all, an attacking technique, we have to return twelve months to final yr’s GP. Even then, restricted tire degradation would have allowed for a one-stop technique, however some groups’ early pit stops created a domino impact, shifting the race in direction of two stops.
This situation re-emerged this yr. Pirelli’s calculations prompt {that a} one-stop technique ought to have been a number of seconds quicker than a two-stop, typically encouraging groups to intention for one cease whereas managing degradation. Nonetheless, if final yr’s state of affairs repeated, the race may have shifted to 2 stops, which a number of groups thought of at one level through the Grand Prix.
Thus, the arduous tire may have been a cautious however logical alternative. Whereas it might not have provided distinctive grip firstly, it might have allowed for an extended stint, observing opponents’ methods, and doubtlessly capitalizing on a Security Automotive at an opportune second. This was Mercedes’ reasoning, whereas Ferrari instantly clarified their attacking technique. If the beginning had not gone nicely, recovering with the identical tires because the rivals would undoubtedly have required rethinking many facets mid-race.
Conversely, Ferrari’s gamble on an aggressive race paid off higher than anticipated. Charles Leclerc’s sensible first lap was aided by a little bit of luck, with some favorable incidents, however his capacity to extract the utmost, discover area, imagine in himself, and make a distinction stood out. Rising to eighth place straight away put the Monegasque able to doubtlessly battle top-tier rivals on equal strategic footing at some extent within the race when the successful tactic was nonetheless unclear.
Finally, the medium tire turned from a possible threat into one of many keys to the rostrum. Charles Leclerc continued to climb the standings, reaching fourth place, earlier than going through the problem of George Russell, who was barely off kind this weekend in comparison with different races after dedicating a part of follow to experimental testing for the 2025 Formulation 1 season.
Though Charles Leclerc had good tempo, overtaking in Abu Dhabi is difficult, particularly when coming into soiled air, which will increase tire sliding within the third sector. This led Ferrari to deliberate on their subsequent transfer: after Mercedes didn’t take the bait on a feint geared toward pushing them right into a pit cease, Ferrari determined to drag the set off and name in Charles Leclerc.
At a time when different groups had already stopped, shifting the race in direction of two pit stops, Ferrari’s resolution was not with out doubts. The pit window was roughly the identical as final yr when the race shifted to 2 stops, making the danger of a repeat vital. If the arduous tire held, Charles Leclerc would wish to finish 38 laps on the identical set. Moreover, stopping early risked encountering visitors from drivers like Pierre Gasly and Nico Hulkenberg, who had modified tires 5–6 laps earlier.
Stopping early was an aggressive but calculated alternative, as in addition they stored an eye fixed on Lewis Hamilton, lower than ten seconds behind and clearly on a one-stop technique. Just like the preliminary medium tire alternative, this daring resolution paid off, not solely as a result of the undercut labored but additionally as a result of the race unfolded as Ferrari had hoped.
Trying on the first stint on arduous tires, many doubted whether or not the toughest compound may final till the top, and there was hypothesis in regards to the subsequent pit window. When requested in code if he thought the tires may go the gap, even Charles Leclerc expressed doubts.
Nonetheless, lap by lap, degradation proved manageable, shifting the race from a two-stop to a one-stop technique, making Ferrari’s alternative efficient, particularly in opposition to Lewis Hamilton.
Charles Leclerc’s comeback boiled down to 2 key elements: his capacity to ship a surprising first lap and keep robust tempo in key race moments, and Ferrari’s daring technique. The Maranello crew took dangers in a Grand Prix the place they aimed to grab their probabilities till the top, leaving no room for remorse.
Purchase official Ferrari F1 merchandise!
Let different Scuderia Followers find out about us
