Ferrari carried out poorly within the qualifying session for the 2024 System 1 Singapore Grand Prix: Carlos Sainz crashed at first of Q3, whereas Charles Leclerc had no time because of an error in flip 1. This was undoubtedly the worst strategy to strategy tomorrow’s race. It’s an actual disgrace as a result of the Ferrari vehicles had confirmed good general stability, which impressed confidence, particularly for the Monegasque driver. The dealing with tends in the direction of oversteer, which, whereas inflicting some small points, helps rotation in the midst of the nook. The important thing to profiting from this setup is fastidiously managing the floor temperature of the rear tires.
To do that, one should keep away from extreme wheel spin throughout acceleration or corrections when exiting corners. Only a few levels of distinction can result in overheating, lowering the accessible grip of the compound. Within the final observe periods, Ferrari was far behind McLaren, having adopted a unique technique for warm-up, attempting to create a unique hysteresis course of. The purpose was to reach within the third sector with the rear compounds beneath the utmost temperature restrict. Nonetheless, within the closing part of the monitor, they usually misplaced time because of extreme overheating of the rear.
Transferring on to qualifying, over the past try in Q3, there was a variety of confusion at Ferrari, particularly concerning driver administration. Carlos Sainz hit the boundaries, whereas his Maranello teammate wished to be the final to finish his lap. The Monegasque reported that he left the pits with a big temperature deficit on the entrance. We’re speaking about about 10°C, which is appreciable. This shortfall is attributed to the crew, which did not warmth the tires correctly within the blankets. The tires misplaced additional levels through the pit cease earlier than heading out.
As soon as on monitor, in an try to boost the entrance temperatures, overheating took maintain of the rear. Due to this fact, the lap started with thermal imbalance. Within the first nook, Charles Leclerc made a mistake whereas attempting to hold extra velocity via the middle of the nook, however the tires clearly didn’t reply as anticipated. In the course of the lap, though there have been no main errors, Charles was unable to maximise grip because of the worsening imbalance. One of many recognized limitations is the habits of the Ferrari on curbs, the place McLaren has a transparent benefit.
The British automotive can virtually absolutely exploit the within curb, sustaining a greater racing line for the following part. Ferrari drivers, alternatively, couldn’t use it an excessive amount of with out risking destabilizing the automotive, a transparent profit for the MCL38. The English automotive has wonderful stability between the 2 axles and, particularly, very strong traction that made a distinction. At that time, the right administration of warm-up technique and tire compound through the dry lap turns into essential. Lando Norris delivered a wonderful efficiency.
Conversely, Oscar Piastri slipped again barely within the final Q3 try, whereas Max Verstappen unexpectedly improved considerably. Yesterday, Crimson Bull confronted a number of points, even radically altering the setup, as they struggled to seek out the optimum working window for the RB20 on bumpy tracks. As an alternative of chasing their rivals, they opted for a extra normal setup, rising stiffness to decrease the ground and maximize aerodynamic grip. This transfer didn’t assist the Dutch driver a lot in reaching his purpose at the moment.
Mercedes additionally achieved an surprising outcome after struggling through the closing qualifying phases of the season. At present’s qualifying was closely influenced by tire administration, as we understood, and the ultimate standings primarily relied on how every crew managed the compounds. The nice and cozy-up cycle and correct execution of warm-up have been decisive in extracting most efficiency because of the stage of grip achieved.
Within the final try, each Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen managed to get the purple tires working higher, sustaining temperature in all 4 corners of the automotive for longer throughout their quick laps. Piastri had a entrance row in his sights however couldn’t put collectively all of the sectors. Charles Leclerc may have completed in sixth place with out the error in flip 1, however there was positively potential to intention for the entrance whereas maximizing tire use.
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