It’s Ferrari once more in F1 for the third weekend in a row. Though the fervour is powerful, a break could be good from time to time. Nonetheless, right here we’re, with 5 units on, able to cowl this primary and solely follow session. Sixty minutes of depth. One hour during which the Prancing Horse will validate its simulator setup utilizing driver-in-the-loop software program. There aren’t any updates for the SF-24, in contrast to McLaren, which brings a brand new entrance wing. Ferrari has no updates, however it’s assured it could possibly compete on the prime in Brazil.
Spherical 21 of the premier motorsport collection takes place at Interlagos, a difficult circuit as a consequence of its distinctive format. The observe 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 diversified elevations. The climate seems to be good, although the occasion has generally seen sudden storms. Ferrari expects its automotive to carry out effectively right here, because it has confirmed aggressive on all sorts of circuits.
Immediately’s problem will likely be intriguing, as groups not solely deal with outright efficiency with qualifying laps but in addition analyze habits with a excessive gas load. This observe has noticeable tire degradation, so F1 groups might want to discover a setup that maximizes their vehicles’ potential. Ferrari struggled on this space in 2023, so it has fastidiously ready to keep away from repeating these points. The aim? Begin robust from the outset.
F1, Brazilian GP 2024: Ferrari bumpy, missing uniform downforce
Let’s take a look at climate and observe circumstances: 26.4°C air temperature, 53.4°C observe temperature, 52% humidity, with a 1.2 km/h southwesterly wind. Within the storage, all the pieces is about. 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 observe for the primary time this weekend on a set of yellow-banded Pirelli tires.
This compound permits the staff to review the vehicles’ habits with a sure stage 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 absolutely warmed up. In distinction, Sainz completes his lap, however radios in to notice low grip on the observe and that the automotive feels fairly bumpy.
The Italian staff is taking a cautious method, as it could possibly’t afford any errors. On the second try, preliminary impressions aren’t nice. The staff is assessing if the journey peak changes are right. Early on, dealing with is imperfect, with an excessive amount of rear slip. Curves 1 and 10 are the primary losses up to now, with Leclerc shedding four-tenths in whole in comparison with Perez’s greatest time. After a number of cooling laps, they improve 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 site visitors, although he makes a mistake in Flip 12, going off observe limits. He, too, lowers entrance downforce, “minus 2,” earlier than returning to the observe. Although Charles began robust, 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, notably 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 vehicles return to the observe. They’re nonetheless on the identical used Medium tires. Mechanics have seemingly made suspension changes to handle instability. Charles Leclerc places in a extra constant time, and the automotive appears barely extra secure. Carlos Sainz, nevertheless, continues to battle. After this try, they transfer to high-fuel checks to evaluate the automotive’s habits with a full tank.
Within the race simulation, the tempo seems good. With extra gas, the automotive’s driveability appears improved, and the annoying corrections not seem. It’s laborious to inform for certain in only a few laps, particularly since we don’t know different groups’ gas masses. 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 Mushy tires for an additional qualifying simulation, benefiting from the added grip of the red-banded compound.
Midway by means of his first try, Charles lifts as a consequence of an error getting into Sector 2. He says grip is suboptimal, making it laborious to handle the automotive. 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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