Ferrari disappoints itself as soon as once more. In fashionable Method 1, tire administration is a essential issue for efficiency. Failing to optimize tire utilization considerably limits a workforce’s competitiveness, and throughout the first qualifying session of the Qatar weekend, Ferrari uncovered its vulnerabilities on this space. The problem, exacerbated by unexpectedly cool temperatures in comparison with these in Saudi Arabia, left the Maranello workforce unable to adapt successfully. The Q3 session served as a transparent instance, with the Ferrari drivers showing unsure about proceed, compounded by inadequate assist from the pit wall.
Within the sole apply session accessible, Ferrari targeted closely on balancing the automobile. They carried out intensive laps utilizing the Laborious compound to realize constant efficiency. For Qatar, the workforce opted for a medium-high downforce rear wing, a choice aligned with most different groups. Whereas not reaching the utmost doable stage, the setup was barely under optimum. Important efforts have been additionally made to validate the up to date flooring, that includes modifications across the edge. This improve was briefly examined by Carlos Sainz in Las Vegas throughout the first apply session, whereas in Losail, it was Charles Leclerc’s flip to trial it.
Inspired by optimistic suggestions from automobile quantity 16, Ferrari determined to retain the up to date flooring for qualifying and the Dash Race, with the choice to revert to the older specification if wanted. In the course of the restricted 60-minute session to fine-tune the automobiles, Charles Leclerc was instructed to carry out a number of managed laps on the Medium tires to check the ground. These runs, carried out with out the usage of aero rakes or flow-viz, relied solely on load cells. In the meantime, the Smooth compound remained largely untested, leaving questions on its efficiency for the Dash Qualifying session.
Throughout qualifying, each drivers complained about vital rotation points, which proved to be the first impediment to unlocking efficiency. The automobiles suffered from understeer that transitioned into oversteer throughout nook exits. Whereas the automobiles did generate substantial downforce, a optimistic takeaway for the Maranello workforce, the shortcoming to keep up the goal tire temperatures robbed them of essential grip. This was an sudden setback for Ferrari, which had designed a warm-up technique that originally appeared efficient.
Including to the poor end result was a setup that didn’t carry out optimally below the cooler circumstances. Ferrari was caught off guard, neglecting to make setup changes to counteract the shortage of rotation. As an alternative, they relied on knowledge gathered throughout FP1, satisfied that the correct tire administration technique would yield the specified efficiency. Sadly, this strategy proved ineffective, and as soon as once more, the 2 SF-24 automobiles displayed vital untapped potential. Efficiency that would have made a distinction was left unrealized as a consequence of poor execution.
McLaren demonstrated precisely what Ferrari was lacking: glorious stability, achieved by way of optimum tire administration. The MCL38 featured a pointy and exact front-end that labored harmoniously with the rear, sustaining steady alignment between the 2 axes. The McLaren automobiles dominated the primary two sectors of the observe, whereas Verstappen claimed the quickest time within the third. McLaren’s tires activated extra shortly—a attribute trait of the papaya automobile—whereas Ferrari opted for a delayed activation technique, aiming to learn from higher grip throughout the remainder of the lap.
With the Smooth compounds, nevertheless, Ferrari tried to regulate preliminary tire temperatures to enhance efficiency within the first sector. This strategy backfired, resulting in front-end overheating and exacerbating the rotation points beforehand famous. McLaren additionally confronted challenges stabilizing tire temperatures however finally succeeded, whereas for Ferrari, this activity became a nightmare, derailing their whole technique throughout the essential moments of the session. With restricted time and already-used tires, there was no alternative for Ferrari to get well.
Mercedes as soon as once more delivered a powerful efficiency, notably by way of George Russell, aided by the cooler observe temperature of simply 21.5°C. These circumstances helped the W15 mitigate overheating points successfully. Quicker tire activation throughout the out-lap offered higher grip over a single lap, permitting Russell’s automobile to outperform the SF-24 by way of outright efficiency. Moreover, Russell’s exact dealing with performed an important function in extracting the automobile’s potential.
Lastly, Pink Bull. Max Verstappen admitted he wasn’t quick sufficient throughout the session. The RB20’s main situation was its stability. In the course of the sole apply session, the workforce struggled to seek out an optimum working window for the automobile. Verstappen didn’t pinpoint a single downside however famous understeer in some corners and over-rotation in others, with the entrance and rear axes disconnected—a recurring situation in current weeks. Total, the compromise Pink Bull settled on proved much less efficient than the setups chosen by Ferrari and McLaren.
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