It’s Ferrari once more in F1 for the third weekend in a row. Though the eagerness is robust, a break could be good now and again. However, right here we’re, with 5 gadgets on, able to cowl this primary and solely apply 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, in contrast to McLaren, which brings a brand new entrance wing. Ferrari has no updates, but it surely’s assured it may 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 should be managed whereas steering, together with quicker bends, high-speed sections, and various elevations. The climate seems good, although the occasion has generally seen sudden storms. Ferrari expects its automotive to carry out nicely right here, because it has confirmed aggressive on all kinds of circuits.
In the present day’s problem can be intriguing, as groups not solely deal with outright efficiency with qualifying laps but in addition analyze conduct with a excessive gas load. This observe 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 rigorously ready to keep away from repeating these points. The objective? Begin sturdy 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, the whole lot is about. Each “Carlos” are within the two SF-24s, awaiting the mechanics’ inexperienced mild to go away 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 workforce to review the automobiles’ conduct with a sure stage of stability. They begin with the ICE in Engine 5 mode, used for racing. After warming up the tires, they change to race mode and push. Charles lifts midway by way 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 observe and that the automotive feels fairly bumpy.
The Italian workforce is taking a cautious strategy, as it may’t afford any errors. On the second try, preliminary impressions aren’t nice. The workforce is assessing if the trip peak changes are right. Early on, dealing with is imperfect, with an excessive amount of rear slip. Curves 1 and 10 are the principle losses up to now, with Leclerc dropping four-tenths in whole in comparison with Perez’s finest time. After just a few cooling laps, they enhance the ICE energy output.
Charles needed to carry 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 sturdy, he lifts once more whereas Sainz pushes. Each full laps however aren’t happy 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 trip peak doesn’t extract most efficiency
After a ten-minute break, each Ferrari automobiles return to the observe. They’re nonetheless on the identical used Medium tires. Mechanics have doubtless made suspension changes to deal with instability. Charles Leclerc places in a extra constant time, and the automotive appears barely extra secure. Carlos Sainz, nevertheless, continues to wrestle. After this try, they transfer to high-fuel assessments to evaluate the automotive’s conduct 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 now not seem. It’s exhausting 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 Tender tires for one more qualifying simulation, making the most of the added grip of the red-banded compound.
Midway by way of his first try, Charles lifts as a consequence of an error getting into Sector 2. He says grip is suboptimal, making it exhausting to handle the automotive. After a cooling lap, he pushes once more and completes his lap, however isn’t happy. 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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