Ferrari continued to ship underwhelming performances in within the third free observe session for the 2024 Components 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on the Yas Marina circuit. The 2 crimson vehicles have been primarily something however quick, though the stability had improved in comparison with yesterday. The crew ran a differentiated program for the Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz the place they examined two various kinds of tires for many of the session. Sainz continued engaged on setup optimization with Medium tires, progressively enhancing the automotive’s dealing with. In the meantime, Charles “outfitted” the Gentle compounds to broaden his technical data.
Within the first case, referring to the Spaniard, issues didn’t appear unhealthy chronometrically. In the meantime, within the second, the Monegasque was not happy. Leclerc tried a brief run to know whether or not the crimson compounds might present efficiency and reliability within the first stint. Within the final a part of the session, the 2 SF-24s returned to the monitor to check their single-lap tempo. The outcomes weren’t good, removed from these achieved by McLaren. It appears the hysteresis cycle of this compound didn’t play out as anticipated, with some overheating within the rear tires throughout Sector 3.
Earlier than the ultimate qualifying session of the season, there was nonetheless time to judge some setup adjustments. This transfer got here after analyzing information, which, not less than theoretically, might information the Maranello crew towards a attainable adjustment. All that was left was to attend for qualifying to find out whether or not Ferrari’s efficiency was merely because it appeared or whether or not, with a greater strategy to varied elements, the efficiency might enhance considerably in a weekend that’s actually not getting in the proper course.
Now let’s check out how occasions unfolded for Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz in the qualifying session for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix:
The 2 Ferrari drivers are of their vehicles. All the things is prepared for the beginning of this significant session for the crew within the grand scheme of the weekend. It’s essential to provide their finest in the event that they hope to stay in competition for the Constructors’ title. This, regardless of their less-than-exceptional type and the 10-place grid penalty for Leclerc on account of a battery pack substitute. The SF-24 engines are fired up. Shortly after, the mechanics sign the 2 Ferrari drivers to go away the pit lane.
For this primary outing, each vehicles are fitted with a set of Pirelli tires marked with crimson rings. It will likely be attention-grabbing to see how the hysteresis cycle performs out to realize most grip from the tires. In the meantime, evening falls over Yas Marina. Throughout the out-lap, the tempo of the vehicles is kind of brisk. The purpose is to place the correct quantity of power into the tires, making an allowance for that temperatures are decrease than in FP3. Observing Sainz’s dashboard, the entrance axle appears effective.
In distinction, the entrance finish is barely cooler, probably a tactic to keep away from overheating in Abu Dhabi’s third sector. The primary try is nice sufficient for the Ferrari drivers to be known as again to the storage. Sainz seems extra in management, whereas Leclerc continues to battle a bit within the final nook, the place he can not maintain the road optimally. General, the SF-24 vehicles nonetheless show good stability. Riccardo Adami suggests accelerating earlier at Flip 5 within the subsequent run, despite the fact that Carlos Sainz is at present the quickest, main his teammate by two-tenths and barely extra over the McLaren vehicles.
To advance previous the minimize, one other try is critical. Charles is the primary to enter the pit lane with brand-new Gentle tires, adopted shortly by his teammate. As soon as once more, the out lap is kind of brisk, and monitor place seems good. Push mode is activated on the ultimate nook, after which it’s full throttle. Leclerc runs barely broad at Flip 5 and Flip 9 and as soon as once more struggles on the remaining nook. Regardless of this, the Monegasque takes the lead, whereas Carlos doesn’t even begin his lap, already secure.
The primary qualifying minimize required Ferrari, in contrast to McLaren, to make use of a second set of red-banded tires. In each instances, the preliminary lap instances have been adequate, however the Scuderia most well-liked to not threat a failure. The high-profile elimination in Q1 was Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari’s future driver. After a short pause to regain focus and composure, the drivers returned to battle on the monitor. Each SF-24 vehicles have been outfitted with red-banded Pirelli tires, although now utilizing a scrubbed set.
At this stage of qualifying, it might change into clear who actually had a shot at pole place. The Ferrari drivers have been extra cautious with tire activation this time, given the scrubbed set. They maintained this strategy for many of the lap, pushing barely tougher within the remaining corners. Charles’ lap was promising, however site visitors from Gasly in Sector 3 compelled a mistake that slowed him down considerably.
Sainz additionally encountered heavy site visitors and reported it over the radio. Regardless of these challenges, the Ferraris appeared “clear” in these laps, approaching the apexes extra successfully and protecting fewer pointless meters. The vehicles returned to the storage, the place contemporary red-banded tires have been mounted. Two minutes later, they have been again on monitor. The pit lane was crowded, however the crew assured the drivers they’d sufficient time to finish their out laps and try their remaining runs on this part of qualifying.
The out laps have been once more brisk, and the warm-up technique appeared to be working nicely. Engine revs climbed, as did hybrid system output. Push mode was activated, and it was full throttle. The Ferrari drivers set the quickest instances. Nevertheless, at Flip 1, Charles exceeded monitor limits, leading to his lap being deleted. This left him in 14th place, which, mixed along with his 10-place grid penalty, meant he would begin final. It couldn’t have gone worse for the Monegasque, who made a essential error on this occasion.
Ferrari was left with only one contender. With Charles out of the image, the possibilities of profitable the Constructors’ Championship have been virtually nonexistent. In Components 1, you’ll be able to by no means say by no means till the final nook of the Grand Prix, however beginning final is a heavy blow. The crew would possibly take into account altering the remaining energy unit parts, hoping for some further horsepower. In the meantime, Q3 was nonetheless to be contested, with solely Sainz representing Ferrari. The Spaniard appeared to have a shot at pole in opposition to the McLarens and Max Verstappen’s Purple Bull.
It was time to provide it every thing. Carlos Sainz took to the monitor with used tires for his first run. As earlier than, he prevented pushing the tires too laborious. This lap was supposed to gauge monitor evolution earlier than switching to contemporary compounds. His preliminary lap was strong, nevertheless it wanted to be topped off with a remaining try on pristine Softs. Carlos meticulously ready his lap, following the identical routine as earlier than.
His efficiency, nevertheless, was not flawless. In Sector 1, he made a mistake. At Flip 7 in Sector 2, he utilized throttle too early and needed to right the automotive on exit. Within the remaining nook, he as soon as once more made an adjustment. The Spanish driver might have achieved significantly better, in the end securing solely third place when pole place was inside attain with out these errors. Ferrari didn’t optimize a qualifying session that would have resulted in a front-row lockout for the crew, despite the fact that Charles Leclerc has a ten-place grid penalty and whould have began from exterior the highest ten anyway. At this level, hope lies solely within the eyes of the followers. We await tomorrow, however the Maranello crew appears to have handed the Constructors’ title on a silver platter to McLaren.
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