The eve of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix within the Ferrari camp started with the motto of believing and pushing till the tip to keep away from any regrets. The constructors’ title didn’t go to Maranello, however on this decisive weekend, the workforce left no stone unturned, regardless that the weekend grew to become difficult earlier than the observe classes, because of the battery alternative on Charles Leclerc’s SF-24.
After the race, Ferrari workforce principal Frederic Vasseur defined that past efficiency considerations, the actual situation prompting the alternative was the danger of a race retirement, one thing the Italian facet clearly couldn’t afford given the purpose of maintaining their championship hopes alive. Undoubtedly, the penalty was a bitter observe to begin the weekend, which was additional difficult by Charles Leclerc’s lap time cancellation in Q2, successfully sending him to the again of the grid.
The evening between Saturday and Sunday was filled with deliberation, particularly relating to whether or not to interchange the Energy Unit. In the long run, they determined to stay with the unit already mounted on the automotive. This choice made sense, because the degradation of the interior combustion engine over its life cycle has been lowered, notably since groups have targeted extra on reliability than pure energy following the freeze.
What shocked most was the choice to begin on medium tires, not solely as a result of there was at all times the danger that contact may additional compromise the race but in addition as a result of the exhausting tire probably supplied larger strategic flexibility in a race the place there have been nonetheless some doubts, regardless of the overall intention to intention for a one-stop technique. It’s no coincidence that groups saved a second set of exhausting tires as a backup.
It was an all-in on the beginning, and it paid off, realistically exceeding Ferrari’s greatest expectations. To grasp why this was a daring selection and, above all, an attacking technique, we have to return twelve months to final 12 months’s GP. Even then, restricted tire degradation would have allowed for a one-stop technique, however some groups’ early pit stops created a domino impact, shifting the race in the direction of two stops.
This situation re-emerged this 12 months. Pirelli’s calculations prompt {that a} one-stop technique ought to have been a number of seconds quicker than a two-stop, usually encouraging groups to intention for one cease whereas managing degradation. Nevertheless, if final 12 months’s state of affairs repeated, the race may have shifted to 2 stops, which a number of groups thought-about at one level throughout the Grand Prix.
Thus, the exhausting tire may have been a cautious however logical selection. Whereas it could not have supplied distinctive grip initially, it could have allowed for an extended stint, observing opponents’ methods, and probably capitalizing on a Security Automotive at an opportune second. This was Mercedes’ reasoning, whereas Ferrari instantly clarified their attacking technique. If the beginning had not gone effectively, recovering with the identical tires because the rivals would undoubtedly have required rethinking many features mid-race.
Conversely, Ferrari’s gamble on an aggressive race paid off higher than anticipated. Charles Leclerc’s sensible first lap was aided by a little bit of luck, with some favorable incidents, however his capacity to extract the utmost, discover house, imagine in himself, and make a distinction stood out. Rising to eighth place straight away put the Monegasque able to probably battle top-tier rivals on equal strategic footing at a degree within the race when the successful tactic was nonetheless unclear.
Finally, the medium tire turned from a possible danger into one of many keys to the rostrum. Charles Leclerc continued to climb the standings, reaching fourth place, earlier than going through the problem of George Russell, who was barely off kind this weekend in comparison with different races after dedicating a part of observe to experimental testing for the 2025 Formulation 1 season.
Though Charles Leclerc had good tempo, overtaking in Abu Dhabi is difficult, particularly when getting into soiled air, which will increase tire sliding within the third sector. This led Ferrari to deliberate on their subsequent transfer: after Mercedes didn’t take the bait on a feint aimed toward pushing them right into a pit cease, Ferrari determined to tug the set off and name in Charles Leclerc.
At a time when different groups had already stopped, shifting the race in the direction of two pit stops, Ferrari’s choice was not with out doubts. The pit window was roughly the identical as final 12 months when the race shifted to 2 stops, making the danger of a repeat vital. If the exhausting tire held, Charles Leclerc would want to finish 38 laps on the identical set. Moreover, stopping early risked encountering visitors from drivers like Pierre Gasly and Nico Hulkenberg, who had modified tires 5–6 laps earlier.
Stopping early was an aggressive but calculated selection, as additionally they saved an eye fixed on Lewis Hamilton, lower than ten seconds behind and clearly on a one-stop technique. Just like the preliminary medium tire selection, this daring choice paid off, not solely as a result of the undercut labored but in addition as a result of the race unfolded as Ferrari had hoped.
Trying on the first stint on exhausting tires, many doubted whether or not the toughest compound may final till the tip, and there was hypothesis in regards to the subsequent pit window. When requested in code if he thought the tires may go the gap, even Charles Leclerc expressed doubts.
Nevertheless, lap by lap, degradation proved manageable, shifting the race from a two-stop to a one-stop technique, making Ferrari’s selection efficient, particularly towards Lewis Hamilton.
Charles Leclerc’s comeback boiled down to 2 key components: his capacity to ship a surprising first lap and keep sturdy tempo in key race moments, and Ferrari’s daring technique. The Maranello workforce took dangers in a Grand Prix the place they aimed to grab their possibilities till the tip, leaving no room for remorse.
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