Ferrari was prepared to check the SF-24 within the single free follow session for the Qatar Grand Prix. In Components 1, sixty minutes is actually a brief period of time to validate a setup. But, that is what all of the groups on the grid should do, realizing that already this afternoon, the primary qualifying session of the weekend will happen. This can decide the grid for the Dash Race, the place the primary essential factors for the Constructors’ Championship will probably be awarded. “Let’s give it our all”: that is the message from Frederic Vasseur to his staff after the truce between the Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz established to maintain the 2024 Components 1 championship dream alive.
The Prancing Horse doesn’t arrive in Losail as the favourite, because the Italian vehicles usually are not notably keen on high-speed corners. Nevertheless, the setup will goal to optimize the crimson vehicles, with the objective of extracting the utmost efficiency from them. As beforehand reported, Ferrari has determined to as soon as once more take a look at the brand new experimental flooring. The Qatari observe is ideal for assessing the potential of this main part, a elementary ingredient in producing downforce that, the extra secure it’s, delivers constant efficiency in all driving circumstances.
Now let’s take an in depth have a look at how occasions unfolded for Ferrari within the first free follow session on the 5.419-kilometre Lusail Worldwide Circuit.
The Maranello staff is able to face a very robust problem, because the Arab circuit, along with quick corners and technical sections, requires traction phases at a lot increased speeds than regular. This session may also contain tire testing. Distinctive macro and micro floor roughness, mixed with excessive temperatures, will make tire administration much more difficult. With out additional ado, let’s soar into the SF-24 vehicles for this on-track session, which is able to present the primary suggestions on the standard of the work achieved on the manufacturing unit.
Earlier than diving into the same old on-board protection of the Maranello vehicles, let’s check out the climate circumstances: air temperature is 26.5°C, observe temperature is 21.3°C. Humidity may be very low at 53%, and the wind blows from the north at 4.4 kilometers per hour. The whole lot is able to hit the observe, with solely the inexperienced gentle awaited. The Ferrari drivers are of their vehicles, focusing to carry out at their finest. One final look on the telemetry after the ultimate checks on the single-seaters, and off they go.
For this primary run, each SF-24 vehicles are fitted with a set of white-banded Pirelli tires. The Laborious tires will present secure efficiency to exactly examine the automotive’s conduct. The gearbox is about to place Gx3. The observe engineers emphasize the significance of activating the tires utilizing the rear brakes. In Charles Leclerc’s case, with the brand new flooring, he’s instructed to take care of a continuing pace within the first sector. The observe nonetheless seems a bit “inexperienced,” and a few corrections could be noticed. The work program entails a number of laps with out lifting off, it appears.
For the time being, the engine mapping is about to Engine 4, the usual configuration used throughout races. Carlos Sainz seems much less snug than his teammate, even requesting a pit cease for a entrance wing adjustment. Nevertheless, this doesn’t occur as he prefers to proceed testing the automotive. After three consecutive laps, the crimson vehicles take a breather to chill the tires. Some recommendation is given to enhance dealing with, whereas checks are carried out on the hybrid system’s effectiveness with the assist of the motor mills.
The pattern for the crimson automotive stays the identical: an extra of rotation, particularly on exits from the sooner corners. The pit wall’s consideration is excessive, offering a sequence of insights on the automotive’s drivability. Now, the inner combustion engine is switched to most energy to collect probably the most helpful suggestions attainable on the engine’s significance. Sainz is pressured to elevate off as a result of important site visitors, which is difficult to handle successfully on this circuit, contemplating the observe format.
Charles Leclerc appears in nice form. He positions himself forward of everybody else, regardless of utilizing a slower compound, the yellow-banded one, in comparison with the remainder of the opponents. The Spaniard additionally improves his time, though he struggles greater than the Monegasque. After about twenty minutes, the crimson vehicles enter the pit lane. Given the restricted time out there, the SF-24s cease of their pit bins, the place Medium compounds are fitted earlier than rapidly returning to the Qatari observe floor. The work continues. Will probably be attention-grabbing to see how the 2 Ferrari vehicles carry out with extra grip.
The Ferrari drivers full just one lap on the yellow-banded tires, performing a sequence of constant-speed exams earlier than returning to the storage. Observing the dashboard, it’s evident that the crimson vehicles start the lap with low front-end temperatures, with the left entrance heating up rapidly as a result of lateral stress. In the meantime, the rear seems to have barely extreme temperatures. These are very attention-grabbing knowledge factors, as they assist validate the warm-up technique and decide if techniques want to vary relying on the grip gained by the compounds. Undoubtedly, it is a key facet for this race weekend.
After a brief break, they return to the observe with Laborious tires as the nice and cozy Qatar night time units in. Charles is the primary to exit, launching after warming up the tires. Two minutes later, Sainz follows swimsuit, additionally on white-banded Pirellis, after a slight front-load adjustment. The crimson automotive appears well-balanced for the time being. The efficiency in Sector 3, with the quickest corners of the observe, is notable, because the Ferraris are presently the quickest there. There may be extra issue in Sector 1, the place the tires, maybe by selection, don’t but seem like within the optimum temperature vary.
Charles does effectively, however Carlos Sainz performs even higher, beating him by three-tenths. It appears the crimson vehicles begin their laps with decrease temperatures, inflicting slight difficulties within the first sector. Nevertheless, this appears to repay as the remainder of the lap maintains secure temperatures. Total, the steadiness appears superb, with no mid-corner snaps, and the downforce is secure. They now transfer on to race-pace simulations. Leclerc radios in, asking if there’s a problem with the automotive as he feels the brake pedal is behaving surprisingly.
The high-fuel exams are temporary, with a complete of 4 laps for the Monegasque and 7 for the Spaniard, basically confirming the sooner observations. Charles returns to the pits first to suit Medium tires. Carlos Sainz follows swimsuit. As earlier than, the 2 crimson vehicles full only one lap on the Mediums with out pushing earlier than returning to the pits. For the ultimate stint, they change to Delicate tires. This part will reveal a lot about tire efficiency, because the Laborious tires have a wider temperature window, whereas the red-banded Pirellis require a narrower vary to function successfully.
Riccardo Adami and Bryan Bozzi instruct using the “Tyre 1” mode to optimize the activation of the Delicate tires. The additional grip considerably advantages the 2 Ferrari vehicles, which appear very effectively arrange on the observe. Leclerc clocks the quickest lap however nonetheless requests and receives a front-load adjustment: plus three. Sainz, nevertheless, struggles extra with the Softs and doesn’t discover the best confidence to push on his first lap. On the radio, he mentions understeer and notes site visitors as an element. After a double cool-down lap, they try one other run.
On his second try, Charles Leclerc improves his time once more regardless of encountering site visitors in Sector 1 and making two small errors in Turns 4 and 5. Carlos Sainz additionally improves however stays nearly six-tenths off his teammate’s time. In conclusion, the crimson automotive, particularly with Leclerc, has demonstrated wonderful tire administration, saving the tires within the first sector. It’s value noting that automotive quantity 16 is supplied with the brand new experimental flooring, which, at this level, ought to undoubtedly stay on the automotive for at the very least qualifying and the Dash Race.
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