At Ferrari, there was no hiding: the Qatar GP wouldn’t be favorable for the SF-24. Actually, the Scuderia was pressured to play defensively to restrict the injury within the constructors’ standings in opposition to McLaren, which discovered the Losail circuit extra suited to the traits of its automotive. Thus, Ferrari approached the Dash classes first and qualifying later totally respecting these expectations, left with a bitter style after a promising first observe session.
Nonetheless, over time, the efficiency of the SF-24 improved, though it was not similar to the leaders, with McLaren proving superior within the Dash classes (higher than a nervous and understeering Ferrari). This was a difficulty that the crew’s engineers couldn’t resolve earlier than Parc Fermé forward of the race qualification, the place the SF-24 continued to underperform, ending behind McLaren, Mercedes, and Pink Bull. Through the race, up till the chaotic finale, the scenario appeared unchanged—lower than superb for the battle for the constructors’ title—with McLaren seemingly in higher form and increasing their lead within the standings. Nonetheless, the ultimate laps, aided by Charles Leclerc’s restart and Norris’s harsh penalty for not slowing below yellow flags, allowed Ferrari to overturn the scenario, ending second and sixth with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, narrowing the hole to their papaya-colored rivals and suspending the constructors’ title battle to the ultimate race in Abu Dhabi.
A tense and chaotic race, analyzed by Ferrari’s crew principal Fréd Vasseur on Sky Sport F1. Fred Vasseur first expressed his satisfaction at deferring the constructors’ title determination to Abu Dhabi, then delved into the chaotic race finale and subsequent penalties imposed on Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton.
“It’s good that the championship can be determined in Abu Dhabi. Talking of the penalties, we will’t argue about them, however relating to the mirror concern, we will actually say that the Security Automotive may have been deployed earlier. It could have been much less harmful. This occurred throughout Leclerc’s overtaking of Bottas. However it was unlucky for everybody. It’s simple to remark now; it could have been higher to deploy a VSC and clear the observe, however I imagine they didn’t anticipate all the pieces that occurred. It was off the racing line, however on the road used for overtaking.”
The Ferrari boss was then requested in regards to the technique adopted, which was very conservative within the first laps when Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc had been instructed to not push to keep away from tire put on however in the end accrued a big hole from the leaders.
“We weren’t frightened about degradation; it was merely our plan: handle for 7-8 laps, and the drivers dealt with it effectively. Solely after that did we push. We introduced ahead the cease, however I feel the technique was good.”
Moreover, the French supervisor commented on the choice to not match Comfortable tires on Charles Leclerc’s automotive within the remaining laps to problem McLaren’s Oscar Piastri. It was a alternative deemed too dangerous by the crew in pink…
“No, we pitted two laps earlier and had been assured within the Exhausting tires to push to the tip. We thought-about becoming the Softs, however we might have needed to handle them in a different way. Plus, a pit cease can at all times current dangers.” – the French supervisor identified.
Lastly, an inevitable query in regards to the constructors’ title battle, which can in the end be determined in Abu Dhabi—a observe extra suited to Ferrari, the place all the crew will give it their all till the final nook of the final lap of the 2024 System 1 season.
“Let’s get by means of this race first. We’re nonetheless within the battle; something is feasible. We will concentrate on McLaren. We’re forward of Pink Bull, and Abu Dhabi will go well with us higher. With Max within the combine and Mercedes within the pack, all the pieces can be unsure. We’ll push like loopy till the final lap, and we’ll see.”
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