Ferrari is at a crucial juncture. Extremely, it’s nonetheless competing for the 2024 System 1 Constructors’ Championship title, an surprising state of affairs. The Maranello crew started the season with a strong basis. The preliminary updates had been promising, though they didn’t totally ship the estimated positive factors from the design part on observe. Then, as has been the case for a while, the SF-24’s optimum working vary was misplaced this 12 months. With out this challenge, issues would undoubtedly be totally different.
Final week’s Qatar Grand Prix noticed the Maranello crew claw again 3 factors from McLaren throughout the 2 races. It might have been far worse had Lando Norris not been penalized in a reasonably naive method. That penalty retains the Italian crew’s hopes alive forward of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Recovering 21 factors with out help from the Woking crew itself is not going to be a straightforward activity. A hypothetical Ferrari one-two end, as an illustration, wouldn’t suffice if each MCL38 vehicles end proper behind Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz. This highlights how difficult Ferrari’s mission is.
Ferrari crew principal Frederic Vasseur shouldn’t be giving up, nor are the drivers. Believing till the top prices nothing. Nevertheless, imagining the Maranello squad reaching a one-two end on the 5.281-kilometre Yas Marina Circuit on Yas Island is troublesome, particularly contemplating Ferrari has by no means gained in Abu Dhabi. Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc are however motivated, prepared to present their all and capitalize on any errors by McLaren. A crew that, had it optimized outcomes over the season, would have already got the Constructors’ Trophy secured. This offers Ferrari a sliver of hope, dreaming of one other present from its opponents.
The Abu Dhabi observe encompasses a technical and complicated structure, characterised by a mixture of straights and medium-speed corners that demand a stability between aerodynamic downforce and mechanical traction. The comparatively uniform observe floor floor doesn’t pose vital challenges in tire administration, however the area’s sometimes excessive temperatures place thermal stress on the tires, making thermal administration essential, significantly within the remaining sector. Balancing aerodynamics and mechanics might be important for tackling the circuit.
The observe rewards aerodynamic effectivity and lateral grip however penalizes compromises in rear-end administration. Ferrari arrives at a circuit that has traditionally highlighted the strengths of the Maranello automobile. Over the previous two years, the automobile has carried out constantly, adapting nicely to a observe combining straights, technical corners, and prolonged stretches. Final 12 months, the SF-23 constructed its laps primarily on nook exits, gaining from the apex onward. Nevertheless, it misplaced floor to Pink Bull in nook entry phases.
This 12 months, the SF-24 single-seater has proven a very responsive entrance finish, a function that would enable Ferrari to recuperate in nook entry, an space the place weaknesses emerged in 2023. Nevertheless, traction, much less strong in comparison with final season, represents a major problem. The Maranello crew is assured, although, that it may possibly optimize this side to attain an excellent consequence. The direct battle with McLaren would be the point of interest of the weekend, as the 2 groups compete for the Constructors’ Championship title. The 2 vehicles are anticipated to “construct their lap” in an identical method on one of these circuit.
With extra medium-speed corners in comparison with the sluggish ones within the previous System 1 structure, each groups exhibit complementary traits. McLaren has considerably improved its top-speed parameter, specifically finish of straight pace, in comparison with the final System 1 season. Nevertheless, Ferrari has proven it may possibly reply, making this comparability intriguing. Each groups will work on particular setups, with Ferrari doubtless choosing a medium-downforce wing mixed with an efficient beam wing configuration and a ground able to producing clear downforce and bettering stability.
Managing trip heights might be essential to deal with any bumps alongside the circuit and keep away from compromising efficiency. Final season, a number of groups struggled with points, requesting some bumps to be flattened. Ferrari would possibly affirm the usage of its newest up to date ground, significantly within the sharp edge space. In Qatar, after some constant-speed checks throughout the first free observe session, this main element was confirmed on Charles Leclerc’s automobile. That is additionally a optimistic signal for the 2025 System 1 automobile, because it signifies that they’re at the moment discovering correlation between simulation environments and the observe.
The compromise between aerodynamics and mechanics might be decisive. The historic Maranello crew would possibly select a barely softer setup to maximise suspension efficiency on the observe’s irregularities and enhance cornering grip, whereas McLaren would possibly go for stiffer options to boost the effectivity of the floor-diffuser group, a key issue of their effectiveness in medium-speed corners final 12 months. In any case, the automobile’s total stability might be a central focus all through the weekend to optimize efficiency.
Tire administration might be a key issue. It is going to be important to take care of optimum rear-end temperatures, particularly within the remaining sector, the place minor sliding might push the rear axle out of its perfect working window. Final 12 months, Ferrari accomplished the primary sector with the rear finish under the goal temperature and might want to work on bettering this to make sure constant tire administration all through the lap. The strategic selection of tires and their dynamic administration might be crucial to the ultimate results of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
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