Lewis Hamilton’s arrival at Scuderia Ferrari is definitely the occasion that defines the pre-season of System 1. It’s an incidence that each Liberty Media and the Worldwide Federation are winking at, conscious of the affect of this pairing and the visibility it can convey to an important class of motorsport. Nonetheless, even among the many incurable optimists, there’s a doubt that nobody dares to voice. So, we are going to voice it: is the seven-time System 1 world champion on the downward slope of his exceptional profession stuffed with achievements?
Will he nonetheless have the ability to return to being the profitable driver he was till the 2021 season, at forty years outdated? Is the partnership with Ferrari an excessive try to seek out motivation, now tucked away because of the mediocrity of Mercedes’ latest technical tasks? Within the final three years, all numerical indicators have favored his Mercedes teammate. George Russell, ranging from the 2022 System 1 championship, has secured extra wins, extra pole positions, and in two out of three seasons, he has completed forward of the seven-time world champion within the driver standings.
A superficial observer, primarily based on these details, might solely declare the next: Lewis Hamilton is now a “completed” driver who sought a “retirement” in Maranello to finish his extraordinary profession. In spite of everything, as Sebastian Vettel mentioned in a well-known interview, deep down, everyone seems to be a fan of Ferrari. A advertising and marketing operation positive to succeed, however with many questions on the potential of seeing the “prime” model of the British driver once more. To transcend the statistical knowledge, we performed an evaluation.
Essentially the most dependable efficiency indices are two: lap pace and race tempo. As for Saturday, the partial rating of 19 to five towards George Russell leaves little room for excuses. However for race tempo, the state of affairs could be very completely different. Discounting three rounds by which the 2 Silver Arrows didn’t make it to the checkered flag, it’s evident that Lewis Hamilton’ tempo was superior to George Russell’s 12 occasions out of 21. It is a very stunning reality, demonstrating Lewis Hamilton’s means to “hammer” over the 300 kilometer distance as in the very best phases of his astonishing profession.
It is a knowledge level that holds a better qualitative worth than anticipated as a result of the British driver virtually all the time began behind his fellow countryman and, in lots of circumstances, received entangled in midfield battles that have been very detrimental to his race technique. Simply consider the Las Vegas Grand Prix, the place the brand new Ferrari driver was clearly the quickest, however his grid place didn’t permit him to transcend second place, proper behind his youthful teammate. There may be an fascinating reality right here, considering of the Prancing Horse on this regard.
By some unusual coincidence, contemplating the 2024 System 1 season marketing campaign for Ferrari, there’s a widespread future. Each Lewis Hamilton and the Maranello workforce’s future automotive will goal to enhance efficiency on the one lap. Final season, Charles Leclerc, the most effective qualifiers within the historical past of the highest class, solely secured three pole positions. This regardless of the SF-24 being, general, an excellent automotive.
We’re speaking a few clear consequence stemming from the exact intent of the technicians and engineers at Maranello, who, in the course of the design part, determined to create a System 1 automotive extra centered on efficiency in the course of the race, with an eye fixed on the mere administration of tires over the 300 kilometer distance. One of many points that has all the time plagued Italian automobiles in recent times. On this regard, we are able to say that this consequence has largely been achieved by the Maranello workforce, regardless of the “troubled” improvement plan that successfully affected a doubtlessly profitable season.
Nonetheless, to be extra particular, in qualifying, tire preparation was typically advanced, compromising the grid place of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz. The Singapore Grand Prix weekend on the Marina Bay Road Circuit is enlightening on this sense. Because of this, the Ferrari undertaking 677 was produced to placed on observe a automotive able to delivering most efficiency even on a single lap, serving to Lewis Hamilton regain the boldness he misplaced within the final three years, throughout which he secured just one pole place on the 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix. As for the races, as talked about, there can be no efficiency points.
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