Lewis Hamilton’s arrival at Scuderia Ferrari is definitely the occasion that defines the pre-season of Formulation 1. It’s an incidence that each Liberty Media and the Worldwide Federation are winking at, conscious of the impression of this pairing and the visibility it should carry to crucial class of motorsport. Nevertheless, even among the many incurable optimists, there’s a doubt that nobody dares to voice. So, we’ll voice it: is the seven-time Formulation 1 world champion on the downward slope of his outstanding profession stuffed with achievements?
Will he nonetheless be capable of return to being the profitable driver he was till the 2021 season, at forty years outdated? Is the partnership with Ferrari an excessive try to seek out motivation, now tucked away as a result of 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 Formulation 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 details, 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 stated 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 information, 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 in opposition to George Russell leaves little room for excuses. However for race tempo, the state of affairs may be very completely different. Discounting three rounds by 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 instances out of 21. It is a very shocking reality, demonstrating Lewis Hamilton’s potential to “hammer” over the 300 kilometer distance as in the very best phases of his astonishing profession.
It is a information level that holds a better qualitative worth than anticipated as a result of the British driver nearly at all times 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 may be an fascinating reality right here, considering of the Prancing Horse on this regard.
By some unusual coincidence, contemplating the 2024 Formulation 1 season marketing campaign for Ferrari, there’s a frequent future. Each Lewis Hamilton and the Maranello workforce’s future automotive will goal to enhance efficiency on the only lap. Final season, Charles Leclerc, the most effective qualifiers within the historical past of the highest class, solely secured three pole positions. This regardless of the SF-24 being, total, an excellent automotive.
We’re speaking a couple of clear end result stemming from the exact intent of the technicians and engineers at Maranello, who, through the design part, determined to create a Formulation 1 automotive 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 at all times plagued Italian automobiles in recent times. On this regard, we are able to say that this end result has largely been achieved by the Maranello workforce, regardless of the “troubled” improvement plan that successfully affected a probably profitable season.
Nevertheless, to be extra particular, in qualifying, tire preparation was typically advanced, compromising the grid place of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz. The Singapore Grand Prix weekend on the Marina Bay Road Circuit is enlightening on this sense. Because of this, the Ferrari undertaking 677 was produced to placed on monitor a automotive able to delivering most efficiency even on a single lap, serving to Lewis Hamilton regain the arrogance 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 might be no efficiency points.
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