The race on the Las Vegas circuit was extremely thrilling and left no room for breath. Many pit stops and overtakes have been dictated by graining and excessive tire degradation, particularly of the Medium tires within the early a part of the race. It was clear from yesterday that we have been heading towards such a state of affairs. With the monitor rendered “inexperienced” by the reopening of the streets to metropolis site visitors between Saturday and Sunday and the low temperatures, it was inevitable.
Because of this, we had already predicted a two-stop race somewhat than a single cease as Pirelli prompt. Groups anticipated this by saving two units of Arduous C3 compound tires. The white tire carried out considerably higher than the C4. But, drivers who opted to make use of it within the early laps, whereas initially gaining a bonus over others, needed to swap to a two-stop technique resulting from graining, which additionally affected this compound.
We needed to wait till the ultimate a part of the GP for the laborious tire to point out its full potential. The monitor rubbered in, and regardless of the asphalt temperature of 17°C (the very best of the weekend), drivers managed the C3 significantly better towards the top. Lap instances grew to become aggressive and constant over stints longer than 20 laps.
Strategic Recap
Earlier than addressing Ferrari’s errors, let’s briefly evaluation the methods utilized by the drivers in the course of the race.
The successful technique employed by Russell and favored by most was Medium-Arduous-Arduous, executed by George, Hamilton, Sainz, Leclerc, Verstappen, Piastri, Hulkenberg, Tsunoda, Zhou, Stroll, and Lawson. Norris may have completed with the identical strategy however opted for a 3rd cease to suit Delicate tires on the final second to safe the bonus level for the quickest lap: 1’34’’874, setting a brand new circuit race document (beforehand held by Piastri in 2023 with 1’35’’490).
Sergio Perez climbed from P16 to P10 utilizing a Arduous-Medium-Arduous technique (maybe executing the race’s greatest overtake, passing each Magnussen and Lawson in a single transfer). Colapinto and Bottas additionally used this tactic. Alonso completed outdoors the factors after selecting S-H-H, forcing an early cease on lap 4. Factors might need been doable for the Spaniard had he began on Mediums. Ocon opted for M-H-S, and Magnussen was the one one with a single-stop Medium-Arduous technique. Beginning twelfth and ending twelfth, the Danish Haas driver couldn’t match Hulkenberg, who, on two stops, scored factors and overtook Tsunoda, who had outqualified him on Saturday (Friday in Las Vegas).
The race additionally noticed two retirements resulting from technical causes: Gasly and Albon.
Ferrari’s Quite a few Errors, a Lacking Pit Wall
The SF-24 had the potential to win the race, at the very least when it comes to velocity. Leclerc demonstrated this by constantly battling Hamilton for the quickest laps. Nonetheless, a number of points plagued Ferrari’s efficiency.
The one factor accomplished proper was the beginning. Charles Leclerc overtook Pierre Gasly and Carlos Sainz instantly, slotting behind Russell. Each Ferraris have been nearly on the rostrum, chasing Mercedes’ #63.
The primary mistake got here from Charles. The Monegasque driver grew to become overzealous. Whereas he had tempo on the Medium C4 tires, he uncared for tire administration, trying to assault Russell. On lap 4, throughout one such try, he ran huge, compromising his first stint’s rhythm. From this second, the tires started dropping temperature, resulting in graining. Charles misplaced contact with Russell and confronted stress from Carlos. When the state of affairs grew to become irretrievable, each Sainz and Verstappen overtook him—a state of affairs Ferrari ought to have managed higher.
The second error got here from the pit wall, which delayed Leclerc’s pit cease determination. By the point Charles pitted on lap 10, he was 10 seconds behind Russell.
Even Sainz struggled with Medium tire tempo. By lap 9, Russell was nonetheless lapping within the low 1’38’’ vary, whereas Sainz managed 1’39’’5, Verstappen 1’39’’0, Leclerc 1’41’’8, and Norris 1’40’’5. The sudden tempo drop additionally affected Carlos, who pitted on lap 11 after lapping at 1’40’’5, gifting extra seconds to Russell.
Ferrari didn’t intervene as Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc engaged in a battle, costing treasured time. Carlos had the higher hand and may have been allowed to chase George.
The second stint was much more difficult. Carlos Sainz pushed laborious, whereas Leclerc adopted a extra cautious strategy, trailing his teammate. By lap 25, Sainz, Charles, and Hamilton have been inside 2 seconds. Leclerc, quicker than Sainz, wasn’t allowed to move—one other driver administration error. Carlos lastly let him by way of on lap 28.
At that second, Max Verstappen, 2.5 seconds forward of Charles Leclerc, pitted. Sainz, battling tires, tried to comply with Max however was ordered to remain out after coming into the pit lane. Ferrari wasn’t prepared for the cease, forcing Carlos right into a maneuver the FIA fortunately selected to not penalize.
Lewis Hamilton demonstrated that this was the perfect time to cease, profiting from recent Hards to overhaul Max and safe second place, ending 7 seconds behind Russell. Ferrari’s fifth error was failing to copy this name.
Within the ultimate stint, Leclerc was a lot quicker than Carlos Sainz however couldn’t capitalize resulting from one other late cease that left him behind his teammate. Carlos then blocked him once more, persevering with an pointless confrontation. Collectively, they managed to overhaul Verstappen, with Sainz ending on the rostrum and Leclerc in fourth.
Ferrari’s efficiency left the impression that issues may have gone a lot in another way. Mercedes was sturdy, however with fewer errors, Ferrari may have simply secured a double podium and even victory. As a substitute, the day highlighted the crew’s lack of ability to optimize pit stops and driver administration.
Christmas Comes Early for Ferrari
It appears Ferrari is already within the Christmas spirit, giving freely items. McLaren thanks them. Regardless of missing tempo, dropping solely 12 factors appears like a win, contemplating Qatar and Abu Dhabi are anticipated to favor the papaya-colored automotive’s traits.
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