What sort of Ferrari did we see in Jeddah? The identical as all the time could be essentially the most correct reply. In reality, this so-called step ahead has been talked about for a month and a half now. And but, regardless of all of the speak that there appears to be a glimmer of sunshine, in actuality darkness and gloomy tones proceed to prevail. The frustration impacts not solely the followers but in addition lingers of their minds.
Ferrari did optimize issues with Charles
Fred Vasseur claims extra might have been finished, as a result of dropping greater than two and a half tenths in two corners is just not acceptable. That’s precisely what occurred to Ferrari, however the causes are totally different and fairly clear. Fred states that by optimizing efficiency, the hole would have been totally different, however we strongly disagree. Charles Leclerc doesn’t agree both. That’s precisely why he’s disenchanted with Ferrari.
The group went out with a baseline setup the place the SF-25 labored nicely within the extra technical sectors. Nonetheless, in course modifications it lacked the mandatory precision — a scenario, as defined in our traditional technical evaluation, that led the group to stiffen the automobile additional. Some enhancements adopted, however as a consequence, grip administration within the slower corners worsened.
The story stays the identical. The notorious quick blanket: wherever you pull it, you expose a weak spot. That’s why there’s no level in speaking about optimization. Automotive quantity 16, in Leclerc’s palms, produced an outstanding lap. As soon as once more, Charles drove past the automobile’s issues. He did it by taking main dangers. The snap in Flip 16 in the course of the Q3 flying lap is the proper snapshot of the scenario.
Fred’s flawed and puzzling view
Over a 300-kilometre race, in principle, tyre degradation needs to be a lot decrease than in Bahrain. There could also be some graining points on the entrance tyres, which have a tendency to chill down on the straights — that’s true. Fred Vasseur additionally claims that Ferrari has all the time carried out nicely with a excessive gasoline load. We’re not precisely positive which automobile Fred, all the time cheerful, is referring to.
As a result of if “performing nicely” means not even reaching the rostrum in 4 races, then that claims all of it. In FP2, the lengthy runs have been disrupted because of Yuki Tsunoda’s crash at Flip 27. Just a few laps have been accomplished, which can’t and shouldn’t be a reference. The hole to McLaren was nicely over a second within the two laps put collectively, which suggests the gasoline hundreds have been considerably totally different.
Furthermore, the Ferrari group principal claims that in races, the Maranello automobile performs higher than in qualifying. Once more, based mostly on the common gaps over the primary three races, we don’t see such a giant distinction in race tempo. We’re speaking concerning the traditional 3–4 tenths per lap on common — which, the truth is, have been typically smaller in qualifying. Once more, we battle to grasp the explanation for these statements.
The Frenchman’s proud stance
“We’re not right here to be three tenths off pole.” Setting apart the truth that the hole was virtually 4 tenths, even the followers don’t attend races to see Ferrari getting crushed by that margin. However followers can solely watch and assist. Those that even have the ability to alter issues and make a distinction are those throughout the group. They usually should act quick.
Fred Vasseur has a sense — a hunch that factors to the lack to place all the pieces collectively. However nothing modifications, Fred. It’s all the time the identical story. With this automobile, there merely wasn’t extra to be finished. Charles’ phrases are so clear that they categorically contradict Fred Vasseur’s considering. Then we transfer on to the supposed tyre administration talked about earlier. Based on Ferrari’s boss, all the pieces will rely upon that.
True: this 12 months greater than ever, tyres are enjoying a key function in efficiency. However ultimately, assuming equal ability in managing them, the sooner automobile will all the time come out on prime. And with all due respect to the previous Alfa Romeo boss, we strongly doubt the SF-25 will present higher tempo than McLaren, Crimson Bull or Mercedes. We’d be joyful to be confirmed flawed, after all. Comfortable Easter to everybody — even to Fred.
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