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. However, right here we’re, with 5 units on, able to cowl this primary and solely follow session. Sixty minutes of depth. One hour wherein the Prancing Horse will validate its simulator setup utilizing driver-in-the-loop software program. There are not any updates for the SF-24, not like McLaren, which brings a brand new entrance wing. Ferrari has no updates, but it surely’s assured it may well compete on the prime in Brazil.
Spherical 21 of the premier motorsport sequence takes place at Interlagos, a difficult circuit as a result of its distinctive format. The observe contains 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 appears good, although the occasion has typically seen sudden storms. Ferrari expects its automobile to carry out nicely right here, because it has confirmed aggressive on all kinds of circuits.
At the moment’s problem will probably be intriguing, as groups not solely give attention to outright efficiency with qualifying laps but additionally analyze conduct with a excessive gasoline 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 fastidiously 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 situations: 26.4°C air temperature, 53.4°C observe temperature, 52% humidity, with a 1.2 km/h southwesterly wind. Within the storage, every thing is about. Each “Carlos” are within the two SF-24s, awaiting the mechanics’ inexperienced gentle 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 crew to review the automobiles’ conduct with a sure degree 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 means 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 automobile feels fairly bumpy.
The Italian crew is taking a cautious method, as it may well’t afford any errors. On the second try, preliminary impressions aren’t nice. The crew is assessing if the trip peak changes are appropriate. Early on, dealing with is imperfect, with an excessive amount of rear slip. Curves 1 and 10 are the principle losses to date, with Leclerc shedding four-tenths in complete in comparison with Perez’s finest time. After a couple of 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 stability 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 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, significantly 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 seemingly made suspension changes to handle instability. Charles Leclerc places in a extra constant time, and the automobile appears barely extra secure. Carlos Sainz, nonetheless, continues to wrestle. After this try, they transfer to high-fuel exams to evaluate the automobile’s conduct with a full tank.
Within the race simulation, the tempo seems good. With extra gasoline, the automobile’s driveability appears improved, and the annoying corrections not seem. It’s laborious to inform for positive in just some laps, particularly since we don’t know different groups’ gasoline 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 Delicate tires for one more qualifying simulation, profiting from the added grip of the red-banded compound.
Midway by means of his first try, Charles lifts as a result of an error coming into Sector 2. He says grip is suboptimal, making it laborious to handle the automobile. 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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