Ferrari carried out poorly within the qualifying session for the 2024 Method 1 Singapore Grand Prix: Carlos Sainz crashed initially of Q3, whereas Charles Leclerc had no time attributable to an error in flip 1. This was undoubtedly the worst method to method tomorrow’s race. It’s an actual disgrace as a result of the Ferrari vehicles had confirmed good general stability, which impressed confidence, particularly for the Monegasque driver. The dealing with tends in direction of oversteer, which, whereas inflicting some small points, helps rotation in the course of the nook. The important thing to profiting from this setup is rigorously managing the floor temperature of the rear tires.
To do that, one should keep away from extreme wheel spin throughout acceleration or corrections when exiting corners. Just some levels of distinction can result in overheating, decreasing the accessible grip of the compound. Within the final follow classes, Ferrari was far behind McLaren, having adopted a special technique for warm-up, attempting to create a special hysteresis course of. The objective was to reach within the third sector with the rear compounds underneath the utmost temperature restrict. Nonetheless, within the ultimate part of the observe, they usually misplaced time attributable to extreme overheating of the rear.
Shifting on to qualifying, over the past try in Q3, there was quite a lot of confusion at Ferrari, particularly relating to driver administration. Carlos Sainz hit the obstacles, whereas his Maranello teammate wished to be the final to finish his lap. The Monegasque reported that he left the pits with a big temperature deficit on the entrance. We’re speaking about about 10°C, which is appreciable. This shortfall is attributed to the workforce, which did not warmth the tires correctly within the blankets. The tires misplaced additional levels through the pit cease earlier than heading out.
As soon as on observe, in an try to boost the entrance temperatures, overheating took maintain of the rear. Subsequently, the lap started with thermal imbalance. Within the first nook, Charles Leclerc made a mistake whereas attempting to hold extra velocity by the middle of the nook, however the tires clearly didn’t reply as anticipated. In the course of the lap, though there have been no main errors, Charles was unable to maximise grip as a result of worsening imbalance. One of many recognized limitations is the habits of the Ferrari on curbs, the place McLaren has a transparent benefit.
The British automobile can nearly totally exploit the within curb, sustaining a greater racing line for the subsequent part. Ferrari drivers, alternatively, couldn’t use it an excessive amount of with out risking destabilizing the automobile, a transparent profit for the MCL38. The English automobile has glorious stability between the 2 axles and, particularly, very strong traction that made a distinction. At that time, the proper administration of warm-up technique and tire compound through the dry lap turns into essential. Lando Norris delivered a superb efficiency.
Conversely, Oscar Piastri slipped again barely within the final Q3 try, whereas Max Verstappen unexpectedly improved considerably. Yesterday, Pink Bull confronted a number of points, even radically altering the setup, as they struggled to seek out the optimum working window for the RB20 on bumpy tracks. As a substitute of chasing their rivals, they opted for a extra customary setup, growing stiffness to decrease the ground and maximize aerodynamic grip. This transfer didn’t assist the Dutch driver a lot in reaching his objective in the present day.
Mercedes additionally achieved an surprising outcome after struggling through the ultimate qualifying phases of the season. Right now’s qualifying was closely influenced by tire administration, as we understood, and the ultimate standings primarily trusted how every workforce managed the compounds. The nice and cozy-up cycle and correct execution of warm-up had been decisive in extracting most efficiency as a result of degree of grip achieved.
Within the final try, each Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen managed to get the purple tires working higher, sustaining temperature in all 4 corners of the automobile for longer throughout their quick laps. Piastri had a entrance row in his sights however couldn’t put collectively all of the sectors. Charles Leclerc might have completed in sixth place with out the error in flip 1, however there was undoubtedly potential to goal for the entrance whereas maximizing tire use.
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