The winter rumors predicted a season dominated by Pink Bull, albeit much less decisively than what was seen from August 2022 onward. As an alternative, on the daybreak of the ultimate week of System 1, McLaren and Ferrari will likely be contending for the Constructors’ Championship due to technical enhancements, however not solely that, from these two giants of the premier class of motorsport. Ranging from Miami, the MCL38 has undoubtedly been the perfect automotive within the subject, permitting Andrea Stella’s staff to achieve 158 factors over Pink Bull and 76 over Ferrari because the Miami race. Nonetheless, numerous rookie errors by the whole staff, beginning with the drivers, have stored the Constructors’ Championship open. Ferrari has had the perfect automotive just a few instances (Melbourne, Monaco, Baku, Austin), however the staff’s progress has allowed them to steadily maximize their factors and stay within the struggle for a title in race quantity 24, a milestone to not be underestimated.
Ferrari: the season wasn’t good, however execution and lineup made the distinction in comparison with McLaren
The successor to the SF-23 has solved lots of its predecessor’s points, beginning with considerably improved tire administration and a transparent enhance in aerodynamic downforce (particularly on the entrance) in comparison with what the 2023 automotive supplied. Nonetheless, the failings within the 676 undertaking weren’t absent, beginning with extra manageable ones like the dearth of aerodynamic effectivity, which is now one of many strengths of the SF-24, and transferring to issues—corresponding to difficulties on single laps and in high-speed corners—that also have an effect on the automotive’s efficiency. Even operationally, it can’t be known as an ideal season: the event error in Barcelona got here throughout the busiest a part of the calendar and value the staff six races because the fourth general drive.
The “blackout” weekend in Montreal and the errors in Baku are doubtless what is going to value Maranello the seventeenth title within the historical past of the Prancing Horse, however the progress all year long has been important and is a vital issue to not be ignored, even when McLaren ought to end forward. Particularly, in comparison with McLaren and Pink Bull, which statistically had the second-best automotive of the season, the lineup made the distinction: Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz loved the perfect seasons of their respective careers and had been the perfect on the grid alongside the Hamilton-Russell duo. Carlos Sainz, specifically, confirmed a transparent step ahead in single-lap efficiency; regardless of qualifying struggles with tire warm-up, Leclerc proved to be an entire driver, making the distinction in opposition to the Spaniard particularly on Sundays and constructing a spot of just about 70 factors over his teammate.
Ferrari heads to Abu Dhabi with extra optimism, however McLaren stays the favourite at Yas Marina
Ferrari arrives within the United Arab Emirates aiming for a one-two end and a podium with out McLaren to clinch the title. Nonetheless, even setting apart the 21-point hole, the Abu Dhabi weekend won’t be simple. At Losail, there was a tempo distinction of about three-tenths between McLaren and Ferrari, primarily in lengthy sweeping corners, with Pink Bull slotting in between as a result of monitor’s favorable traits. From this angle, a extra direct battle is anticipated between the MCL38 and SF-24 at Abu Dhabi, with the RB20 and W15 probably within the combine if situations align of their favor. Ferrari should resolve whether or not to take the danger of utilizing the ex-experimental ground on Leclerc’s automotive, as in Losail, or keep on with the bottom SF-24, which ought to nonetheless be aggressive given the structure and traits of the Yas Marina Circuit.
McLaren may make the distinction, significantly in turns 1, 5, and 9, that are long-radius corners the place Ferrari might want to defend. In medium-speed corners, the 2 groups are anticipated to be neck and neck, whereas Ferrari may leverage its strengths in traction, straight-line pace, and the assorted gradual corners of Abu Dhabi. The traits of the monitor ought to favor the SF-24 extra, partly as a result of low-grip asphalt, which has typically troubled the MCL38, significantly its entrance finish. In response to data from Pirelli, there’s additionally a threat of graining, which has steadily been an ally of the SF-24 all through the season. Moreover, temperatures may decide whether or not and to what extent Pink Bull and Mercedes are aggressive, probably changing into decisive elements within the championship battle. General, very small gaps are anticipated between all 4 groups in each Qualifying, the place Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz might want to reduce losses, and the Race, as defined by F1 professional Andrea Vergani for autoracer.
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