Ferrari believed till the final nook of the ultimate lap of the 2024 Formulation Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The Constructors’ Championship stays a prestigious title, and even with slim probabilities, when there was nothing to lose, the purpose was to present it every part. This was the mindset of the historic Italian group. Because the sundown offers strategy to night time, let’s check out the environmental circumstances of this remaining aggressive setting of the season: air temperature at 27.4°C, observe temperature at 33.6°C, common humidity at 45%, and wind blowing from the east at 2.4 km/h.
With Leclerc, numerous methods have been attainable. The choice to put in a brand new inside combustion engine was dismissed, as ranging from the pit lane wouldn’t enable the Monegasque to get better positions firstly. Each Ferraris are on the beginning grid, awaiting the two-minute sign to start the procedures resulting in the formation lap. Sainz is about to begin on yellow-banded tires, as is Charles, who will intention to maximise efficiency within the early laps.
Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz are knowledgeable that the remainder of the drivers, besides Hamilton, are additionally beginning on yellow-banded tires. Hamilton opts for the Arduous compound to increase his first stint as a lot as attainable. The formation lap begins, with Carlos instantly pushing, whereas Charles waits for the pack to maneuver earlier than warming his tires successfully, catching up with the group in Sector 3. Two burnouts for the Spaniard, one for the opposite Ferrari driver. Inexperienced lights, and the ultimate race of the season begins.
Sainz will get a terrific begin, taking second place, however the true magic comes from Leclerc, who finds himself in eighth by Sector 3. On lap 2, the Digital Security Automotive is deployed on account of particles on the observe from a collision between Verstappen and Piastri, who’s now in the back of the sector. That is excellent news for Ferrari, because it raises their possibilities of battling McLaren. Leclerc is extremely motivated, expressing it on the radio, with Bozzi acknowledging however urging him to maintain his enthusiasm in test and concentrate on tire administration within the early laps.
The Digital Security Automotive interval ends, and the race resumes. Sainz creates a ways from Norris, who leads the race and can be managing his tires. Leclerc is behind Magnussen and overtakes him on lap 6 at Flip 5, setting his sights on Alonso. On this preliminary section, preserving the tires is important. The Ferrari storage stories that the tire situation is sweet, aligning with expectations. Norris is exhibiting spectacular tempo, forcing the Spanish Ferrari driver to do every part attainable to maintain up.
Leclerc overtakes Alonso and closes in on Hulkenberg in sixth place. In the meantime, Piastri, in seventeenth, is working to regain positions. Bryan reminds Charles Leclerc of the significance of adhering to trace limits, as exceeding them too typically may end up in penalties. Verstappen has already acquired a penalty for his contact with Piastri at Flip 1. On lap 12, Leclerc overtakes Hulkenberg and claims fifth place. Sainz is pushing arduous however admits on the radio that Norris may be very quick.
The Ferrari drivers are knowledgeable that the efficiency on Arduous tires is poor—not just for Hamilton, who began on them, but in addition for Piastri, who switched to them after his contact with Verstappen. Ferrari’s subsequent problem is George Russell, a formidable opponent, although he’s anticipated to have much less tempo than Leclerc’s automobile. Bozzi checks in with Leclerc about Plan C, however the Monegasque dismisses it, unimpressed. In the meantime, Norris stories that his tires are beginning to battle.
In all of this, tire administration continues to obviously restrict efficiency. Bryan additionally advises towards utilizing second gear on the curb of Flip 2—a precaution to keep away from reliability points with the transmission. Leclerc is now closing in on Russell, whereas Carlos continues to lose floor to Norris, who’s now 4 seconds forward. The Mercedes may be very quick on the straights, and trying an overtaking transfer gained’t be straightforward. Lando retains complaining about his entrance finish not being proper however stays quicker than the Ferrari driver.
Lap 19: Ferrari tries to trick the Brackley group with a faux pit name to try an undercut, however Mercedes doesn’t fall for it. Leclerc is rising annoyed as he’s dropping valuable race time behind the W15 quantity 63. Consequently, he’s introduced into the pits for actual to change to the Arduous tires. The Monegasque rejoins the observe in eighth, behind Gasly. It’ll take about 5 laps for the tires to stabilize. Within the meantime, he should handle them whereas creating sufficient of a spot to remain forward of Russell after the Briton’s pit cease. For now, George doesn’t react to Ferrari’s tire change.
Charles overtakes Gasly and units off after Hamilton, his future Ferrari teammate. In the meantime, Sainz is gaining on Lando, who’s struggling along with his tires. By lap 26, Carlos additionally pits, switching to white-banded Pirellis. He rejoins in third, forward of Verstappen. Plan C is talked about for each Ferrari automobiles, which suggests managing the tires as a lot as attainable, as additional pit stops are unlikely. Piastri is recovering and is already in tenth.
Russell additionally pits and finally ends up about 3 seconds behind Leclerc. The undercut labored. With the tire change, Sainz halves his hole to Norris, now simply over 2 seconds forward of the Spaniard. For Ferrari to have any hope, each automobiles want to complete forward of Lando; in any other case, McLaren will safe the championship. Carlos is urged to push to catch the Briton. By lap 33, the instruction involves push more durable with automobile 55 to shut the hole.
Bozzi radios once more: “Don’t use second gear in Flip 2.” In the meantime, Piastri serves his penalty within the pits for the collision with Franco Colapinto and rejoins the race in fifteenth. Hamilton is now being hunted by Leclerc, who is nearly in DRS vary. Nevertheless, the Englishman pits earlier than any duel happens. The 2 Ferraris are actually second and third, however Leclerc is about 20 seconds behind his teammate. Adami congratulates the Spaniard for his efforts, noting he loses a tenth to Norris in Flip 9, simply as in qualifying.
Radio communication is frequent. Bryan asks Charles to enhance his efficiency in Turns 6 and seven, the place he’s dropping about 0.15 seconds to the leaders. The Spaniard is giving it his all, managing his tires effectively, and attempting to maintain the battle alive with Lando, who stays first and now 3 seconds forward. The McLaren driver has a slight efficiency edge and is making no errors. With out his assist, Ferrari’s Constructors’ Championship dream fades away.
The race progresses. By lap 42, Lando has elevated his result in practically 5 seconds. With 16 laps to go, it appears there’s little Ferrari can do. The McLaren’s tempo is superior, and with out technical points, the Woking group is poised to win the Constructors’ Championship. Charles asks for the present standings to see if the factors are sufficient to surpass their rivals. Bozzi tells him no however urges him to maintain pushing as something can nonetheless occur.
The engineers present all attainable assist to enhance tempo, however up entrance, the Briton is pulling away, now over 5 seconds forward of Carlos. Within the remaining 5 laps, the 2 Ferraris give it their all however are already resigned to a defeat that weighs closely. Moreover, it appears one thing underneath Sainz’s automobile is slowing him down. Certainly, the hole grows additional, with Sainz dropping to 7.5 seconds behind. Charles inquires concerning the scenario up entrance, and Bozzi responds, however the Monegasque doesn’t take it effectively.
He asks if any on-track battles might assist their trigger however is advised no. Pissed off, he displays on the deficit and the race he’s pushed. A greater qualifying session and no penalties have been wanted to do higher. Charles’ restoration drive was wonderful, however as we speak, McLaren’s quantity 4 left no room for escape. The checkered flag waves: Sainz says he gave it his all. Fred Vasseur compliments him, and Adami acknowledges his professionalism over the previous 4 years, saying it was an honor.
Carlos chuckles, happy, singing “Easy Operator” and shouting, “Forza Ferrari, all the time.” In the meantime, the tone on Leclerc’s radio is vastly totally different. Charles is nearly in tears, hitting his helmet in frustration. He thanks the group for his or her work and even Sainz, wishing him the perfect for his profession. Bozzi thanks him, acknowledging there was nothing extra he might have carried out as we speak. For the document, Oscar Piastri finishes tenth, including one other level to McLaren’s 2024 tally.
Ferrari didn’t lose the Constructors’ Championship as we speak. They misplaced it in the course of the midseason races after they successfully threw away six races, on account of to the ground replace launched on the Circuit de Catalunya in Spain, which disrupted the Italian automobile’s steadiness. That is one thing the Maranello group should replicate on. With out that subject, they might have fought for each titles—sure, even the Drivers’ Championship. Let this function a lesson for subsequent 12 months, the place Ferrari should compete with out making such errors.
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