Scuderia Ferrari approaches the Qatar dash race, the final of the 2024 System 1 World Championship, with the will to offer its greatest. Sadly, qualifying went poorly for the Maranello crew. The explanations are primarily attributable to 2 components. We confer with the lack to handle the environmental circumstances of the aggressive context and, consequently, to the activation and upkeep of the goal temperatures on the tires. A situation already seen and bitterly skilled throughout different race weekends, the place the 2 SF-24 vehicles have been unable to extract most efficiency. And it’s really a disgrace, as a result of on the 5.419-kilometre Lusail Worldwide Circuit in Qatar the Italian facet might have completed properly.
The potential is there, and this might even be seen as excellent news. Nonetheless, the standard lack of ability to carry out at their greatest dashes the hopes of the Prancing Horse in nurturing the dream of the Constructors’ World Championship. McLaren was, and has confirmed to be, the favourite. At present, within the Dash Race, it clearly aimed to safe a one-two end that might seal the title for the British crew. Ferrari can have the prospect to regulate the setup of its vehicles earlier than the second qualifying session—a transfer that the Maranello crew now intends to make however didn’t take into account worthwhile yesterday.
And but it was, as a result of the cooler-than-expected temperatures on the Losail observe created a situation completely different from what was anticipated within the simulator. There’s nothing left to do however push and “give it every part,” as Ferrari crew principal Frederic Vasseur acknowledged within the ordinary pre-weekend discussions with media from all over the world. As a result of, till confirmed in any other case, in fashionable System 1, you by no means know what would possibly occur. Most focus, readability initially, and a race by which harm limitation should be the objective. This was the goal of a crew that may nonetheless carry out properly over the course of the Qatari weekend.
Now let’s take an in depth have a look at how occasions unfolded for the 2 Ferrari drivers within the Qatar dash race based mostly on the onboard footage from the 2 SF-24 single-seaters:
There are actually only some minutes left earlier than the beginning of the 100 kilometer race. The vehicles are lined up on the beginning grid. Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz are about to climb aboard their vehicles after reviewing the newest data with their respective engineers. It is going to be fascinating to see how the beginning is managed. On one hand, the necessity to push to get well some positions initially. On the opposite, the need of not excessively stressing the tires, thereby shortening the helpful lifetime of the rubber, which, it needs to be remembered, should final all the stint with out being changed. Therefore, the necessity to handle them as successfully as potential.
Let’s check out the final circumstances earlier than diving into the narrative: the air temperature is 21.4°C, and the observe floor temperature is 26.7°C. Humidity is pretty excessive at 53%, and the wind blows from the north at 3.8 kilometers per hour. We’re ready for the reconnaissance lap. It’s value declaring that the observe floor is about 5°C hotter, and temperatures will rise considerably through the race. It’ll subsequently be fascinating to know how tire degradation is managed. Routine communication checks are going down, with Carlos Sainz taking the chance to debate the entrance wing in relation to the downforce load put in on the entrance finish to make sure correct stability.
The Ferrari drivers are knowledgeable that everybody within the high ten has chosen the scrubbed Medium compound, the identical tire utilized by the 2 SF-24s. Engines are fired up. Throughout the set up lap, the objective is to succeed in the goal temperature earlier than repositioning on the beginning grid. Carlos Sainz performs 4 burnouts to warmth his rear tires, whereas Charles does 4.5. We’re prepared, ready just for the inexperienced mild. The Spaniard will get off to a poor begin and, in making an attempt to defend in opposition to his teammate’s assaults, barely hinders him, permitting Lewis Hamilton to take benefit and go Charles Leclerc.
Oscar Piastri exhibits nice talent, overtaking George Russell initially, placing the 2 McLarens answerable for the race. The grip for the Italian vehicles isn’t nice. Furthermore, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz are instructed to avoid wasting tires in turns 9 and 14. Observing the dashboard of the Ferrari vehicles, it’s noticeable that the tires stay under their superb temperature till lap 3, when the compounds start offering extra grip. Additional care is suggested for the tires in turns 5 and 12 as properly. The 2 Ferraris regularly acquire confidence; Carlos Sainz closes in on the highest three, whereas the Monegasque driver stays behind Lewis at a secure distance in the intervening time.
Saturation in flip 7 should be monitored on this System 1 period that many name “tire components,” which persistently repeats the identical tiresome thread, considerably limiting efficiency. An additional gear in flip 4 for the Spaniard, one level much less on the mid-corner differential for Charles Leclerc to assist rotation—these are the options given to the Ferrari drivers on lap 7. The mini race is moderately predictable. Nothing noteworthy occurs on the entrance. With ten laps remaining, it seems the Monegasque is closing in on Hamilton’s Mercedes.
Steadily, the pack compresses, with the highest six vehicles inside a five-second span. Charles Leclerc pushes laborious and, on lap 12, manages to overhaul his future teammate utilizing the drag discount system on the finish of the primary straight. Carlos Sainz makes an attempt to shut in on George Russell, who, in flip, is glued to Oscar Piastri’s rear wing. Curiously, the 2 Ferrari vehicles will not be affected by understeer, whereas the 2 McLarens exhibit slight over-rotation, primarily as a result of their aggressive cornering. The race slips away with simply three laps remaining.
The Spanish driver didn’t relent for a second however was by no means in a position to problem the drivers forward. In the meantime, the Monegasque reclaimed the place he misplaced to his future Ferrari teammate initially of the Qatar dash race. George Russell made quite a few makes an attempt to overhaul the Australian driver in entrance of him, however the latter defended skillfully all through. No matter whether or not one likes the Dash Race format, this observe doesn’t appear fitted to it, given the structure and environmental circumstances that restrict pleasure.
Scuderia Ferrari subsequently pays a heavy worth for a poor efficiency within the Dash qualifying session on Friday. McLaren secures 15 factors with a one-two end, whereas the Italian facet, with fourth and fifth locations, solely earns 9 factors. This implies the hole of 24 factors will increase to 30 with two races remaining—tomorrow’s race after which the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Though the Ferrari drivers gave their throughout these 100 kilometers, the result’s definitely removed from passable.
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