Within the 2025 Formulation 1 Bahrain Grand Prix, Ferrari confirmed combined alerts throughout the assorted stints of the race. Whereas the SF-25 single-seater benefited from the medium tires throughout the center section of the Sakhir race, it confronted vital difficulties with the exhausting compound in direction of the tip, particularly in managing the rear finish. Particularly, the Maranello automobile initially had a big benefit within the sooner sections.
This attribute pale within the remaining stage of the Bahrain Grand Prix. With the intention to higher perceive the causes, we analyze a comparability of the typical pace between the primary and final stints of the race, evaluating the 2 Ferrari drivers, alongside Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen. The comparability goals to focus on the variations in gas ranges, that are contrasted by way of a extra full evaluation.
Within the first stint, by analyzing the telemetry knowledge, we will see that Max Verstappen, because of the slipstreams in the course of the pack, is the quickest on the finish of the primary straight. The four-time Formulation 1 world champion, with the assistance of the drag discount system, has an Finish of Straight Pace that’s 30 kilometers per hour sooner than Oscar Piastri. An identical dynamic happens within the second part of the circuit, with the Dutchman managing to construct a niche of about half a second earlier than the braking zone of flip 4.
Nonetheless, as may be seen from the telemetry knowledge, the world champion loses all of the benefit gained in turns 4 and eight, the place he’s compelled to brake earlier and undertake a extra conservative method in traction. Charles Leclerc, then again, maximizes the deceleration section in flip 1, gaining round two tenths simply on this sector. Moreover, the Monegasque driver is much less conservative within the snake part and switch 12, the place — just like Lewis Hamilton — he carries extra pace.
These high-G corners are very taxing on the tires, which have a tendency to lift the tread temperature. Each Ferrari drivers took benefit of the Pirelli yellow-banded tire, which, because of its building, is much less liable to temperature will increase because of lateral forces. As additionally seen from the telemetry knowledge, within the lengthy flip 12, Charles Leclerc modulates the throttle much less and features a few tenth over Oscar Piastri.
Unable to utilize many slipstreams, the Australian driver optimizes the benefit of unpolluted air, carrying larger pace by way of the middle of the corners. It is usually fascinating to notice that he’s extra cautious throughout the braking section between turns 1 and 4. With the entrance axle colder after the 2 straights, the McLaren driver adopts a extra conservative method, displaying a faster brake launch section in corners 8, 11, and 13. In these sections, the tire temperatures are larger and supply extra grip throughout turn-in.
Shifting focus to the ultimate stage of the Bahrain Grand Prix, with lighter vehicles, it’s noticed that Max Verstappen’s place in the course of the pack as soon as once more favored his high pace. Essentially the most fascinating knowledge comes from the comparability between the 2 Ferrari vehicles and Oscar Piastri. With exhausting tires, the Maranello vehicles struggled essentially the most within the remaining section of the race. The information exhibits that the primary challenge was the rear finish on exit.
The rear was unable to offer sufficient grip to stabilize the automobile. This lack of stability was brought on by a really imprecise entrance finish throughout turn-in, which triggered extreme sliding on exit. For that reason, essentially the most vital areas — the place Oscar Piastri gained essentially the most floor — had been the exits from the slower corners.
Furthermore, as a result of weaker rear finish, the benefit we beforehand mentioned within the sooner sections was now not current. Each within the snake and at flip 12, it was Oscar Piastri who reached the very best speeds earlier than the braking zones, although he was in a section of managing his F1 automobile in flip 12, the place he modulated the throttle extra.
Charles Leclerc’s try and defend the rostrum doubtless accelerated the efficiency drop of the exhausting tires in direction of the tip of the race on the 5.412-kilometre Bahrain Worldwide Circuit in Sakhir. This issue was subtly talked about by the Monegasque in some post-race feedback. The battle between Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris and the one between Charles Leclerc and his defenders prevented the drivers from sustaining a powerful tempo within the remaining laps, though, in any case, the exhausting tires don’t swimsuit the Italian automobile.
— see video above —
Purchase official Ferrari F1 merchandise!
Let different Scuderia Followers find out about us
