Ferrari continues to be on observe in Barcelona. On this case, the SF-24 is getting used, the automobile that completed because the 2024 world championship runner-up. Undoubtedly, having the chance to run with such a latest single-seater may assist the crew considerably, contemplating that the 2025 automobile is its pure evolution. Nevertheless, these are very particular observe exams, as they’re a part of an occasion organized by the Worldwide Federation for Pirelli. The objective is to offer the Italian tire producer with all the mandatory instruments to “hypothesize” actuality as precisely as attainable. Sadly, there is no such thing as a bodily mannequin of the 2026 automobiles.
If there have been, the work of the Italian tire producer could be a lot easier. We are saying this for a number of causes. Now, let’s perceive why. Within the exams presently happening on the Catalan observe, Ferrari is utilizing final season’s automobile. Nevertheless, numerous modifications have been made to adapt it to the take a look at, beginning with the suspension to accommodate tires of various weight and dimension. To not point out the ground, which has additionally been modified to facilitate Pirelli’s information assortment. All of this means that the reliability of those exams for 2025 is virtually nonexistent.
The FIA regulates these exams fairly strictly. Listed here are the small print. The Mule Automobile Check is outlined as any observe exercise that isn’t a part of a contest, during which a championship-registered competitor participates utilizing automobiles designed and constructed to adjust to the technical laws or regulatory framework of any of the 4 calendar years instantly previous the upcoming racing season. The F1 automobiles are suitably modified to offer the official tire provider with a way to check its future merchandise on observe.
Alternatively, they will additionally function a way for the FIA to check elements or methods for future seasons. The automobiles are restricted to the minimal modifications vital for the event of tires or for observe exams carried out by the Worldwide Federation regarding particular methods. Throughout any TMC, the automobiles should be outfitted with the management unit mandated by the governing physique. In distinctive circumstances, and solely on the discretion of the governing physique upon approval, elements and/or software program that don’t adjust to Article 10.10 could also be put in, offered {that a} exact request detailing the explanations is submitted.
Ferrari is undoubtedly persevering with its work in parallel. The crew can preserve familiarizing itself with the methodology associated to the duties at hand, particularly with Lewis Hamilton. It may confirm numerous parameters of the automobile in regards to the energy unit. Nevertheless, with the modified SF-24, no vital conclusions may be drawn. There’s, nevertheless, one considerably stunning issue that stands out concerning the Scuderia. Along with McLaren and the Italian single-seater that competed in final season’s championship, the Italian crew has additionally chosen to have Charles Leclerc recuperate the TCP.
The Monegasque driver was unable to run on Wednesday afternoon final week. The reason being well-known: Lewis Hamilton’s crash into the obstacles at over 200 kilometers per hour had destroyed the entrance finish of the SF-23. An professional from Maranello had even arrived to evaluate whether or not it was possible to place Charles Leclerc on observe. Nevertheless, following preliminary examinations of the automobile, it was determined to forgo the session, with the attention that the Ferrari driver’s earlier automobile take a look at would nonetheless happen. Consequently, the previous Alfa Romeo driver will have the ability to practice a bit extra in preparation for the end-of-month exams scheduled in Sakhir, Bahrain.
Returning to the SF-24, for Lewis Hamilton, will probably be his first time. That’s true. Nevertheless, given all of the aforementioned restrictions, Charles’ session aboard the 2023 single-seater shall be considerably extra significant. He, too, is engaged on tire testing, however in his case, though the tires are additionally particular and produced by Pirelli solely for the TCP exams, the information assortment that may be carried out is much extra fascinating, significantly for comparisons that can later be made within the simulator. This can be a helpful transfer to work on information correlation, which stays probably the most essential features in trendy F1.
Charles is aware of the Ferrari surroundings very effectively. In 2025, he’ll face his seventh season with the historic Maranello crew. Because of this, his suggestions—although partial and gathered with an older automobile—may nonetheless show helpful to the trigger. The important thing figures concerned have confirmed this. Testing continues right this moment, as soon as once more for Pirelli. We await the top of the day to study extra.