Lewis Hamilton’s arrival at Scuderia Ferrari is actually the occasion that defines the pre-season of System 1. It’s an prevalence that each Liberty Media and the Worldwide Federation are winking at, conscious of the affect of this pairing and the visibility it’s going to carry to an important class of motorsport. Nonetheless, even among the many incurable optimists, there’s a doubt that nobody dares to voice. So, we’ll voice it: is the seven-time System 1 world champion on the downward slope of his exceptional profession stuffed with achievements?
Will he nonetheless be capable to return to being the profitable driver he was till the 2021 season, at forty years previous? Is the partnership with Ferrari an excessive try to seek out motivation, now tucked away because of the mediocrity of Mercedes’ latest technical tasks? Within the final three years, all numerical indicators have favored his Mercedes teammate. George Russell, ranging from the 2022 System 1 championship, has secured extra wins, extra pole positions, and in two out of three seasons, he has completed forward of the seven-time world champion within the driver standings.
A superficial observer, based mostly on these information, may solely declare the next: Lewis Hamilton is now a “completed” driver who sought a “retirement” in Maranello to finish his extraordinary profession. In any case, as Sebastian Vettel mentioned in a well-known interview, deep down, everyone seems to be a fan of Ferrari. A advertising operation certain to succeed, however with many questions on the opportunity of seeing the “prime” model of the British driver once more. To transcend the statistical knowledge, we performed an evaluation.
Essentially the most dependable efficiency indices are two: lap velocity and race tempo. As for Saturday, the partial rating of 19 to five towards George Russell leaves little room for excuses. However for race tempo, the state of affairs could be very totally different. Discounting three rounds through which the 2 Silver Arrows didn’t make it to the checkered flag, it’s evident that Lewis Hamilton’ tempo was superior to George Russell’s 12 occasions out of 21. It is a very stunning truth, demonstrating Lewis Hamilton’s means to “hammer” over the 300 kilometer distance as in the perfect phases of his astonishing profession.
It is a knowledge level that holds the next qualitative worth than anticipated as a result of the British driver virtually all the time began behind his fellow countryman and, in lots of circumstances, acquired entangled in midfield battles that have been very detrimental to his race technique. Simply consider the Las Vegas Grand Prix, the place the brand new Ferrari driver was clearly the quickest, however his grid place didn’t permit him to transcend second place, proper behind his youthful teammate. There’s an fascinating truth right here, pondering of the Prancing Horse on this regard.
By some unusual coincidence, contemplating the 2024 System 1 season marketing campaign for Ferrari, there’s a widespread future. Each Lewis Hamilton and the Maranello staff’s future automobile will intention to enhance efficiency on the only lap. Final season, Charles Leclerc, among the finest qualifiers within the historical past of the highest class, solely secured three pole positions. This regardless of the SF-24 being, general, an excellent automobile.
We’re speaking a few clear outcome stemming from the exact intent of the technicians and engineers at Maranello, who, through the design section, determined to create a System 1 automobile extra targeted on efficiency through the race, with a watch on the mere administration of tires over the 300 kilometer distance. One of many points that has all the time plagued Italian vehicles in recent times. On this regard, we are able to say that this outcome has largely been achieved by the Maranello staff, regardless of the “troubled” growth plan that successfully affected a doubtlessly profitable season.
Nonetheless, to be extra particular, in qualifying, tire preparation was usually advanced, compromising the grid place of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz. The Singapore Grand Prix weekend on the Marina Bay Avenue Circuit is enlightening on this sense. Because of this, the Ferrari venture 677 was produced to placed on monitor a automobile able to delivering most efficiency even on a single lap, serving to Lewis Hamilton regain the boldness he misplaced within the final three years, throughout which he secured just one pole place on the 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix. As for the races, as talked about, there will likely be no efficiency points.
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