What a lovely Ferrari we’ve seen currently. A Method 1 group that has slowly and progressively emerged from its technical deadlock, getting again on high, as Flavio Briatore would say. Three wins within the final 5 races have actually not come by probability, and it might have been 4 if not for a misjudgment on the Baku Metropolis Circuit in Azerbaijan. And perhaps even 5 if the Maranello group would have higher assessed tire activation throughout qualifying on the Singapore Grand Prix. In brief, a Ferrari on the offensive. The purpose for this third and remaining spherical of the triple-header stays the identical.
Ferrari is aiming for victory in the Brazilian Grand Prix, with a powerful want to maintain the dream of the Constructors’ Championship alive. A relatively wasteful McLaren might nonetheless assist, because the group led by Andrea Stella can also be centered on the drivers’ championship battle with Lando Norris, whereas Oscar Piastri, the Australian, has appeared nearly like a shadow of himself because the Baku weekend. Repeating success in Method 1 isn’t simple, particularly with very decided rivals. Nevertheless, the historic Italian group is exhibiting nice dedication, and the worry of successful appears to have left the group. Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz are giving their all and elevating the Italian colours worldwide, as technical consciousness of its capabilities drives the SF-24 to new heights.
The 4.309-kilometre Interlagos circuit, formally often known as Autódromo José Carlos Tempo, is a historic and extremely technical observe for Method 1. It unfolds in a mixture of lengthy straights with technical sectors, significantly the second, the place tight turns and chicanes demand a excessive degree of driving precision. Interlagos can also be well-known for its unpredictable climate, usually forcing groups to adapt the setup of the automobile. For Ferrari, at the moment in a really optimistic interval, this occasion represents one other probability to place the SF-24 to the check on a observe that rewards each high pace and traction within the extra gradual sections.
The Prancing Horse arrives in Brazil with a powerful, well-balanced aerodynamic bundle, due to an working window large sufficient to adapt to completely different layouts on this 2024 Method 1 calendar. After latest races, the Maranello group appears capable of finding an excellent stability on every observe, minimizing the weaknesses of its automobile whereas absolutely exploiting its strengths. Which means, in contrast to in different Method 1 seasons, tracks with completely different traits now not signify an insurmountable impediment.
For that reason, Ferrari’s confidence in its capabilities could be very excessive in the mean time. Final yr, the group selected a setup that favored high pace, with a view to achieve time within the quicker sections, particularly on the primary straight and the part resulting in turns 4 and 5. This yr, following final season’s pattern, the crimson automobile will intention to optimize high pace, because it did in Mexico, the place between Friday and Saturday they decreased aerodynamic load from the Monaco specification, shifting to a medium-high setup first seen on the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona.
For the Brazilian Grand Prix, it’s anticipated that the Italian group will go for an method just like final Sunday’s, specializing in a extra versatile specification appropriate for blended circuits. In 2023, it’s price recalling that Ferrari struggled in gradual corners, significantly on the first chicane, at turns 4 and 5, because of an endemic lack of vertical load. Reducing the experience heights had yielded good outcomes by way of qualifying efficiency, however this alternative finally compromised general efficiency over the 300-kilometer race distance. This yr, nevertheless, the SF-24 automobile has proven higher stability at low speeds, in addition to agility on the curbs, that are additionally much less pronounced in Interlagos than in Mexico.
On the identical time, Ferrari has to concentrate on the optimum tire administration in the course of the race. The Maranello group’s technicians and engineers have labored to construct a compromise favoring the slower sections, even when this implies sacrificing some efficiency in excessive downforce corners, like flip 12, the place in 2023 the Ferrari misplaced nearly a tenth and a half, which it then recovered with pace within the high-speed part resulting in the end line. In quick corners, the SF-24 will search a compromise with suspension stiffness. The intention is to handle aerodynamic load for the race, the place common speeds in quick sections lower together with the required downforce.
In qualifying, the Italian F1 group depends on the motive force’s sensitivity to handle the automobile’s rear, prioritizing high pace. This alternative goals to create a automobile efficient over lengthy runs and suited to tire preservation in the course of the race. Interlagos is especially demanding on tire compounds, characterised by excessive degradation, a scenario that in 2023 pressured drivers to handle the compounds all through the race and considerably restrict efficiency. This yr, Ferrari goals to keep away from such problematic administration.
This may also be achieved with higher management over floor and carcass temperature. The SF-24 has proven enchancment on this space, mixed with a setup designed to maintain the tires in an optimum temperature window and keep away from compromising race tempo as final yr. Within the second sector, varied sections place stress on the rear axle in traction, the place micro-slips have to be averted to ease tire administration. Ferrari begins off the Sao Paulo weekend assured, satisfied that it could possibly struggle for victory in Brazil.
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