Throughout the lunch break on the primary day of pre-season testing on the Bahrain circuit, the Ferrari technicians and engineers performed an preliminary evaluation with a transparent perspective. In System 1, the power to check knowledge is all the time essential, particularly after gathering a lot vital and helpful info. The Italian workforce carried out a moderately intensive morning session with Lewis Hamilton. In response to what has been reported by varied Italian information media shops, the purpose with the Briton was to hold out a particular activity: testing extra aggressive setups, as Charles Leclerc had finished final week through the shakedown on the Fiorano circuit. It was vital to obtain suggestions on this side from the seven-time world champion as effectively.
Within the afternoon session, Ferrari’s in-house skilled took to the observe. We confer with the Monegasque driver, who’s about to enter his seventh System 1 season with the Maranello workforce. It was as much as him to evaluate the qualities of the Ferrari with out the constraints that the workforce needed to “endure” through the Fiorano shakedown, because it was solely a filming day. The comparisons with the previous Mercedes driver are vital as a result of they assist exactly decide the setup vary and tire efficiency whereas additionally working to outline the SF-25 automobile’s aerodynamic map.
Charles Leclerc additionally mounted a big aerodynamic rake. In his case, nonetheless, the construction was positioned on the rear of the automobile, proper subsequent to the tires. It is a setup with varied Pitot tubes that measure static and dynamic stress. The thought was to scan the whole vertical space and map the stress subject, then evaluate the collected knowledge with CFD outcomes. This check confirms the modifications to the ground that we had anticipated through the automobile’s presentation.
The seen portion of the ground is much like the experimental Las Vegas specification, however the actual modifications are within the hidden space, the place the Venturi channels are situated. The identical applies to the keel space. To make the system work optimally, the run was performed at particular speeds and in sure elements of the observe to make sure that the mapping was not distorted by different disruptive variables. As soon as this check was accomplished, the automobile was introduced into the storage to take away the aero rakes. In Charles Leclerc’s arms, the Ferrari instantly appeared extra responsive. Let’s take a step again to grasp why.
Within the ultimate a part of the primary session, drivability improved with Lewis Hamilton. Due to the data gathered at Fiorano, as talked about, we all know that Charles Leclerc had examined the SF-25 with extra excessive setups. Conversely, Lewis Hamilton’s setup was rather more impartial. That’s why the Briton additionally carried out any such work this morning, to supply additional insights for the workforce. There’s a “match” between the automobile’s habits at Fiorano with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton’s run this morning. In each instances, in sure corners, understeer was extreme rotation.
Let’s return to Charles Leclerc’s third run, after a fast stint to verify all of the automobile’s functionalities. The Ferrari driver hits the observe on C3 tires. Observing the footage, it’s instantly clear that the SF-25 is a distant relative of the automobile pushed by Lewis Hamilton. Initially, within the third sector, the driving was not but good, with the SF-25 compelled to partially raise off the throttle. The identical occurred in the midst of the snake part, the place Charles Leclerc lifted at Flip 6. His confidence with the automobile then progressively elevated, additionally due to a setup adjustment.
Let’s analyze the Monegasque’s quick lap, ranging from the idea that traction has improved primarily based on the driving force’s suggestions. Barely vast at Flip 1, automobile quantity 16 has a very good exit part. At Flip 4, efficiency is sweet however not good: on entry, he barely misses the apex resulting from delicate understeer. In the meantime, within the snake part, the automobile seems effectively planted. At Flip 8, a medium-low-speed nook, the entrance responds excellently, with none corrections. Even at Flip 10, there aren’t any points, though different vehicles appear extra secure in that part.
Exit traction stays robust, with the flip seemingly taken flat out primarily based on the engine sound. At Flip 11, slight understeer on entry forces Leclerc to open the steering when approaching the apex. On exit, he has to appropriate, as he applies throttle with extra steering angle than vital. At Flip 13, directionality is sweet, though he makes use of much less curb than the McLaren. Within the ultimate nook, understeer remains to be current, with a slight snap on exit turning into oversteer.
As anticipated, utilizing an efficient setup and setting apart experiments has reworked the automobile’s habits. After the second a part of the session, {an electrical} situation arises, leaving the observe in darkness. A pink flag halts all F1 exercise. About an hour later, the session resumes, although shortly after, a light-weight rain hits the observe. The scenario doesn’t stop the drivers from operating. Ferrari decides to conduct a extra substantial high-fuel check to evaluate tire administration.
On this state of affairs, the Ferrari’s drivability shouldn’t be optimum. A number of corrections are noticeable, and efficiency is moderately inconsistent. The stability nonetheless wants enchancment on this side. The route is correct, however there’s nonetheless work to do for the Italian workforce. Charles Leclerc requests and receives a rear-end adjustment to melt the rear. A profitable transfer, because the Ferrari responds effectively, gaining better stability in each tempo and lap occasions. About 20 minutes later, a front-end tweak follows, adjusting the entrance suspension.
This isn’t a matter of kinematics, as it’s not possible to change it on this means. By the panel on the nostril cone, changes are made to trip peak or stiffness. From what we perceive, it was the latter. The ultimate stint ends with alternating laps, the place the Ferrari driver assessments the modifications. Nevertheless, time runs out and everybody heads to dinner. Our evaluation will proceed tomorrow, hoping Ferrari can take one other step ahead.
— see video above —
Purchase official Ferrari F1 merchandise!
Let different Scuderia Followers find out about us
