It’s Ferrari once more in F1 for the third weekend in a row. Though the fervour is robust, a break can be good once in a while. However, right here we’re, with 5 gadgets on, able to cowl this primary and solely follow session. Sixty minutes of depth. One hour wherein the Prancing Horse will validate its simulator setup utilizing driver-in-the-loop software program. There aren’t any updates for the SF-24, not like McLaren, which brings a brand new entrance wing. Ferrari has no updates, however it’s assured it may possibly compete on the high in Brazil.
Spherical 21 of the premier motorsport sequence takes place at Interlagos, a difficult circuit on account of its distinctive structure. The monitor consists of a number of tight turns in Sector 2, the place braking have to be managed whereas steering, together with quicker bends, high-speed sections, and diverse elevations. The climate appears to be like good, although the occasion has typically seen sudden storms. Ferrari expects its automobile to carry out nicely right here, because it has confirmed aggressive on all varieties of circuits.
In the present day’s problem will probably be intriguing, as groups not solely concentrate on outright efficiency with qualifying laps but additionally analyze habits with a excessive gasoline load. This monitor has noticeable tire degradation, so F1 groups might want to discover a setup that maximizes their automobiles’ potential. Ferrari struggled on this space in 2023, so it has fastidiously ready to keep away from repeating these points. The aim? Begin sturdy from the outset.
F1, Brazilian GP 2024: Ferrari bumpy, missing uniform downforce
Let’s have a look at climate and monitor circumstances: 26.4°C air temperature, 53.4°C monitor temperature, 52% humidity, with a 1.2 km/h southwesterly wind. Within the storage, every thing is ready. Each “Carlos” are within the two SF-24s, awaiting the mechanics’ inexperienced mild to depart the pit lane. Roughly two minutes into the session, each Ferraris hit the Brazilian monitor for the primary time this weekend on a set of yellow-banded Pirelli tires.
This compound permits the crew to check the automobiles’ habits with a sure degree of stability. They begin with the ICE in Engine 5 mode, used for racing. After warming up the tires, they swap to race mode and push. Charles lifts midway by means of his lap, feeling the tires weren’t totally warmed up. In distinction, Sainz completes his lap, however radios in to notice low grip on the monitor and that the automobile feels fairly bumpy.
The Italian crew is taking a cautious strategy, as it may possibly’t afford any errors. On the second try, preliminary impressions aren’t nice. The crew is assessing if the journey peak changes are appropriate. Early on, dealing with is imperfect, with an excessive amount of rear slip. Curves 1 and 10 are the principle losses thus far, with Leclerc shedding four-tenths in whole in comparison with Perez’s greatest time. After a couple of cooling laps, they enhance the ICE energy output.
Charles needed to raise his foot on his third try, additionally making a -4 adjustment on the entrance wing to steadiness downforce. Sainz is extra exact at this stage and avoids visitors, although he makes a mistake in Flip 12, going off monitor limits. He, too, lowers entrance downforce, “minus 2,” earlier than returning to the monitor. Although Charles began sturdy, he lifts once more whereas Sainz pushes. Each full laps however aren’t glad with their efficiency.
Leclerc says his lap was horrible. Total, Ferrari is struggling, particularly with minor instability in Sector 2. There’s annoying oversteer, and Sainz continues to report extreme bouncing, significantly in Flip 6, resulting in uneven downforce. The truth that oversteer seems with extra engine energy suggests changes are wanted to stabilize the aerodynamic platform. The SF-24 wants refining to unlock its full efficiency, which is at present lacking.
F1, Brazilian GP 2024: Ferrari restricted by journey peak doesn’t extract most efficiency
After a ten-minute break, each Ferrari automobiles return to the monitor. They’re nonetheless on the identical used Medium tires. Mechanics have seemingly made suspension changes to deal with instability. Charles Leclerc places in a extra constant time, and the automobile appears barely extra secure. Carlos Sainz, nevertheless, continues to battle. After this try, they transfer to high-fuel exams to evaluate the automobile’s habits with a full tank.
Within the race simulation, the tempo seems good. With extra gasoline, the automobile’s driveability appears improved, and the annoying corrections not seem. It’s arduous to inform for positive in only a few laps, particularly since we don’t know different groups’ gasoline hundreds. Nonetheless, in high-fuel testing, Ferrari appears to carry out higher than in a single lap. After a roughly five-lap run, they return to the storage, the place the mechanics match Gentle tires for an additional qualifying simulation, profiting from the added grip of the red-banded compound.
Midway by means of his first try, Charles lifts on account of an error coming into Sector 2. He says grip is suboptimal, making it arduous to handle the automobile. After a cooling lap, he pushes once more and completes his lap, however isn’t glad. The identical goes for Carlos, who can’t discover the boldness to push to the restrict. Because the session nears its finish, issues aren’t going in addition to anticipated. It stays to be seen if the suspension is working because it ought to. Ferrari isn’t far off its goal however nonetheless wants to enhance.
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