Scuderia Ferrari is competing for the F1 Constructors’ Championship in opposition to McLaren. The aggressive setting is Abu Dhabi, Yas Marina, the place the ultimate spherical of the 2024 Method 1 championship will happen. The observe is exclusive, that includes numerous kinds of corners mixed with two high-speed sections separated by a chicane. The observe floor isn’t very abrasive, however excessive temperatures drive groups to handle tires within the third sector. An ideal aero-mechanical compromise can be wanted, as all the time, to ship the perfect efficiency. Ferrari should win and hope for assist from the Woking group.
Crimson Bull, nonetheless, led by Max Verstappen, might discover nice efficiency and be a part of the combat. Mercedes additionally can’t be dominated out of competition, as regardless of preferring cooler situations, the W15 has confirmed able to being aggressive, particularly with George Russell. It’ll even be Lewis Hamilton‘s final race with the Brackley group earlier than shifting to Ferrari, giving the Briton further motivation to depart followers with a memorable impression. Briefly, there are many causes for an thrilling F1 weekend.
For the ultimate occasion of the season, Method 1 groups arrive with exact aerodynamic decisions aimed toward discovering a fragile stability between effectivity and dealing with. These are key components on a observe that includes medium-speed corners and the necessity for prime mechanical grip. Crimson Bull stands out for testing two totally different rear wing specs, as noticed in pictures taken on Thursday by numerous journalists within the Yas Marina pitlane. Sergio Perez’s automotive is provided with the medium-load wing used on the Baku metropolis circuit in Azerbaijan. Its most important profile is much less pronounced, whereas Max Verstappen‘s automotive options the higher-load model beforehand seen in the course of the season on the British Grand Prix in Silverstone. Each wings embody a nolder on the trailing edge. This strategy seems to replicate the aim of reaching a transparent compromise: a extra rearward stability useful in medium-speed corners whereas addressing current points, akin to these encountered in Qatar and Las Vegas.
Nevertheless, rising rear load to enhance stability on the RB20 might compromise high speeds. The optimum selection stays to be seen. Ferrari has chosen a medium-load wing, additionally used on the Silverstone circuit, aiming to maximise high speeds with out sacrificing grip. This strategy aligns with final season’s technique. Notably, in 2023, the Italian group adopted the same strategy, as seen at present.
However, the present model of the wing encompasses a extra pronounced spoon profile, aiming to use a great setup window and, consequently, present the Maranello automotive with essentially the most steady general stability potential. Ferrari is looking for a greater reference to the entrance finish of its automotive to ship a stability that satisfies each drivers. On automotive quantity 16, the “previous” flooring is presently put in, reasonably than the one launched in Las Vegas.
McLaren additionally arrives with a twin array of aerodynamic choices. The ultimate selection of the historic British group will largely rely on the information collected on observe, mixed with suggestions from the drivers, because the sensitivity of the circuit requires correct validation of the simulations. One of many accessible specs is the Barcelona model, that includes a really pronounced spoon profile and better downforce, whereas the opposite, launched in Austin, generates medium downforce. The problem can be to search out the stability that most accurately fits the drivers.
That is undoubtedly an important transfer to organize as successfully as potential for the ultimate championship problem and sort out the medium-speed corners effectively. Abu Dhabi is a observe that’s significantly delicate to effectivity. The group will check two specs, because the optimum downforce stage can’t ideally be achieved with both wing alone. Consequently, the engineers should be very shrewd in figuring out which of the 2 variations will higher swimsuit the MCL38, then full the setup by appropriately adjusting the trip heights and beam-wing angles.
Lastly, Mercedes depends on a medium-load spoon wing. That is additionally a model already examined efficiently in Canada, Barcelona, and Austria. A configuration that has demonstrated good stability and will present a possible benefit in a context the place discovering the optimum setup can be fairly useful for delivering a convincing efficiency. The selection of configurations by the assorted F1 groups highlights a stability between conservative and experimental approaches, all aimed toward maximizing the potential of their automobiles in a decisive weekend.
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