Ferrari has subsequently placing within the work in Barcelona with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc. On Tuesday, on the primary day of this three-day session on the lovely Montmelò circuit, the Scuderia’s drivers took turns behind the wheel of the SF-23. The Prancing Horse booked the Spanish monitor to reap the benefits of TPC classes, checks regulated by the Worldwide Federation, the place a number of guidelines should be adopted. These concern the automotive for use, the software program, the tires equipped particularly by Pirelli, and the restricted mileage.
On this context, we can’t merely speak about mere coaching—it will be far too reductive. Indisputably, the restrictions imposed by the FIA make the job of an F1 crew significantly extra sophisticated. That’s true. However, there are numerous components that may be examined and, as such, show very helpful for the trigger. On Tuesday morning, Charles Leclerc targeted a part of his session on finding out the tires. We coated this subject intimately in a devoted article as a result of, though the tires are totally different, some insights can nonetheless be drawn.
Furthermore, there was a comparability relating to information assortment with the simulator, a vital software in trendy F1 for assessing the accuracy of its correlation with real-world circumstances. This was a part of the work carried out by the Monegasque, who additionally regained a few of the confidence misplaced over the previous months in on-track motion. A really helpful coaching session in a number of respects, as he prepares for the true debut on the Bahrain pre-season checks, the place the brand new automotive shall be unveiled—hopefully showcasing its glorious basic traits within the Center East.
The scenario was barely totally different for the seven-time F1 world champion. The driving force from Stevenage is a veteran of the game’s prime class, with twenty years of expertise in single-seaters. Nevertheless, he can nonetheless be thought-about a “rookie” relating to his data of Ferrari—each by way of its vehicles and the distinctive method of the historic Italian crew. Subsequently, he must undergo a studying curve that can present him with the muse to compete with the Scuderia. Lewis is totally dedicated to this course of.
On Tuesday afternoon, throughout Ferrari’s second session, it was his flip to take to the monitor. The British driver accomplished a number of runs, all the time on the wheel of the SF-23. In accordance with info gathered by the Italian media, Hamilton’s baseline setup differed barely from Leclerc’s. The general downforce degree was the identical however distributed in a different way. Hamilton’s driving fashion isn’t a “copy and paste” of Leclerc’s. There are similarities, certain, however some points are distinctly totally different between the 2.
To begin with, the British driver’s dealing with may be very clean, resembling that of former Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz. The ex-Mercedes driver additionally prefers a really steady rear finish, whereas Charles, on a number of events, has proven he can handle a extra nervous rear if the advantages outweigh the downsides. Throughout his laps, along with simulating a typical race weekend work program, Lewis paid specific consideration to braking phases. He particularly targeted on trail-braking, a vital method utilized by all F1 drivers.
Within the case of the British driver, it was necessary to deepen his preliminary method to Brembo brakes. This entails a exact braking method: making use of heavy stress on the pedal earlier than progressively releasing it because the automotive enters the nook. On the identical time, Hamilton studied the “trailing throttle” to additional stabilize the automotive with a slight quantity of throttle open. Charles is a real grasp of this method, continuously utilizing it in lots of qualifying classes final season. Weight distribution in corners is essential and was a part of Lewis’s coaching.
The seven-time Formulation 1 world champion additionally labored on the automotive’s setup and follow begins. The beginning system is totally different from Mercedes’, with a definite use of the paddles situated on the rear of the steering wheel. Moreover, he educated on the assorted energy unit modes, together with engine mapping for the interior combustion engine and the hybrid system of Ferrari’s energy unit, designated 066/12. On the finish of his second day driving a Ferrari, Hamilton was as soon as once more happy.
The suggestions offered to the crew was extremely constructive as he seems to be ahead to testing the SF-24 subsequent week, adopted by runs with the most recent piece of aero-mechanical engineering from the Maranello squad. The complete trackside crew was not current, however distant assist from Maranello was accessible.
— see video above —
Purchase official Ferrari F1 merchandise!
Let different Scuderia Followers learn about us
