Charles Leclerc fell sufferer to an incident attributable to Alexander Albon within the first free observe session for the Mexico Metropolis GP final weekend: the Williams automotive hit the SF-24 assigned to Ferrari Driver Academy member Ollie Bearman inside minutes, leaving the Monegasque with out the required information to fine-tune his Ferrari at a race closely affected by the skinny air at 2,240 meters on the Mexican plateau.
The primary hour was devoted by the Maranello group to evaluating some essential features, such because the distribution of hybrid vitality over a lap, energy unit cooling, brake cooling, and turbo optimization, subjected to uncommon and repeated pressure. These could look like particulars from the surface, however on the subject of fine-tuning on an atypical circuit, each small ingredient impacts the outcome. Add to this the truth that the second free observe session for the Mexican Grand Prix was conditioned by a compulsory Pirelli tire take a look at for the 2025 prototype, and it’s clear that Charles Leclerc confronted setups that didn’t add up on the 4.304-kilometre Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico Metropolis.
Furthermore, Charles Leclerc doesn’t favor automobiles with an understeering tendency, preferring to brake virtually as much as the apex with a rear finish that helps with cornering. Mexico Metropolis, nonetheless, is a observe that, because of its traits, favors a driving fashion suited to dealing with understeer, with Carlos Sainz clearly demonstrating this. The Spaniard took pole place and received the race with undisputed superiority.
It’s a part of the sport, however there’s some remorse that, maybe, the Monegasque may have accomplished a one-two end for the Italian facet in Mexico Metropolis, replicating the success in america Grand Prix on the Circuit of the Americas in Austin the place he took the victory. All of this to say that Ferrari is expressing its most technical potential, competing on par with McLaren, which is rightly thought of the common automotive adaptable to any observe.
The occasions on the American continent usually are not but over: the Method 1 calendar presents us with a triple-header and the Brazilian Grand Prix is scheduled to happen subsequent weekend. Interlagos is one other high-altitude venue, though São Paulo’s 700 meters is hardly corresponding to Mexico’s 2,240 meters (with a 17% air density discount in comparison with 30% final Sunday). Max Verstappen should resort to his fifth engine to finish the 2024 Method 1 championship, whereas Ferrari has not, not less than for now, deliberate any replacements by way of energy unit elements, although the inner combustion engine endures extreme pressure with 70% of the lap at full throttle.
In Brazil, Ferrari goals to proceed its optimistic streak, which has introduced it to simply 29 factors behind McLaren, who leads the Constructors’ Championship. Simulations for Interlagos carried out again house in Maranello recommend that the observe needs to be favorable for the SF-24 single-seater, which, due to the extra versatile wing launched in Austin, appears to have achieved enviable stability.
On the Interlagos circuit, we are going to see a automotive with out main technical upgrades, as the ultimate ones are prone to seem in Qatar, however with changes to the crimson automotive suited to a observe requiring medium aerodynamic load.
The Italian facet has discovered good race stability, even supposing they should search higher efficiency from the mushy compound tires within the qualifying session (with Pirelli choosing the C2, C3, and C4 compounds at São Paulo). And right here lie Ferrari’s doubts: the Brazilian circuit has undergone resurfacing work.
In a weekend that includes the Dash Race format, the one free observe session will likely be essential for understanding the traits of the brand new floor with unknown grip. The Maranello group normally completes its homework effectively, and in races with the Dash format, the Ferrari engineers and technicians handle to place a well-prepared automotive on observe. Nevertheless, at Interlagos, it is going to be important to not lose a minute on observe to adapt their parameters to the brand new observe floor.
It’s subsequently price mentioning that this unknown issue may spoil all simulations together with temperature adjustments. The SF-24 automotive prefers hotter situations, whereas the climate forecast, which is extremely changeable on this space, may rapidly alter situations, as rain is forecasted for Sunday’s race.
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