Within the 2025 System 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 in the course of the center part of the Sakhir race, it confronted important difficulties with the arduous compound in direction of the tip, particularly in managing the rear finish. Particularly, the Maranello automotive initially had a major benefit within the quicker sections.
This attribute light within the last stage of the Bahrain Grand Prix. In an effort to higher perceive the causes, we analyze a comparability of the common 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 spotlight the variations in gas ranges, that are contrasted by a extra full evaluation.
Within the first stint, by analyzing the telemetry knowledge, we are able to 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 System 1 world champion, with the assistance of the drag discount system, has an Finish of Straight Velocity that’s 30 kilometers per hour quicker than Oscar Piastri. The same dynamic happens within the second part of the circuit, with the Dutchman managing to construct a spot of about half a second earlier than the braking zone of flip 4.
Nevertheless, as will be observed 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 strategy in traction. Charles Leclerc, however, maximizes the deceleration part 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 boost the tread temperature. Each Ferrari drivers took benefit of the Pirelli yellow-banded tire, which, because of its building, is much less vulnerable to temperature will increase on account of lateral forces. As additionally seen from the telemetry knowledge, within the lengthy flip 12, Charles Leclerc modulates the throttle much less and positive factors a couple of tenth over Oscar Piastri.
Unable to utilize many slipstreams, the Australian driver optimizes the benefit of fresh air, carrying greater pace by the middle of the corners. Additionally it is fascinating to notice that he’s extra cautious in the course of the braking part between turns 1 and 4. With the entrance axle colder after the 2 straights, the McLaren driver adopts a extra conservative strategy, exhibiting a faster brake launch part in corners 8, 11, and 13. In these sections, the tire temperatures are greater 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 prime pace. Essentially the most fascinating knowledge comes from the comparability between the 2 Ferrari vehicles and Oscar Piastri. With arduous tires, the Maranello vehicles struggled essentially the most within the last part of the race. The info reveals that the primary subject was the rear finish on exit.
The rear was unable to offer sufficient grip to stabilize the automotive. 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 important areas — the place Oscar Piastri gained essentially the most floor — have been the exits from the slower corners.
Furthermore, as a result of weaker rear finish, the benefit we beforehand mentioned within the quicker sections was not current. Each within the snake and at flip 12, it was Oscar Piastri who reached the best speeds earlier than the braking zones, despite the fact that he was in a part of managing his F1 automotive in flip 12, the place he modulated the throttle extra.
Charles Leclerc’s try to defend the rostrum doubtless accelerated the efficiency drop of the arduous 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 last laps, though, in any case, the arduous tires don’t swimsuit the Italian automotive.
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