Ferrari confirmed two faces throughout Friday follow in Spain. After encouraging indicators in FP1, some experimental setup adjustments and decrease monitor temperatures created difficulties for the drivers in managing tyre temperatures. Each Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc struggled at mid-corner, dropping out throughout traction phases. A number of complaints have been heard over the radio, regardless of varied changes made to outline the automotive’s setup window.
Taking a look at long term information, Charles Leclerc was on common six tenths slower than Max Verstappen. The Monegasque couldn’t discover the fitting feeling with the tyres used in the beginning of the session. That’s the reason, after simply 4 laps, he switched to the red-banded Pirellis. The softer compound had already delivered optimistic sensations throughout FP1 lengthy runs and appears to swimsuit the Ferrari higher.
Simone Berra, head of the Italian tyre provider’s engineers, said that put on charges between Medium and Gentle compounds are virtually the identical. Nevertheless, the SF-25 didn’t have the perfect setup, scuffling with steadiness and, in consequence, failing to extract optimum grip from the compounds. It was simpler with the C3, the place that additional grip was discovered. Hamilton ran a barely longer stint on the Mediums.
The Brit began with increased lap instances than his Maranello teammate, trying to enhance because the laps went on. However even this technique didn’t work notably nicely. Lewis Hamilton ended his stint with common instances much like Charles Leclerc’s, unsurprisingly. Max Verstappen and Lando Norris have been the quickest with completely different compounds. The world champion requested a number of adjustments, together with entrance experience peak and rear springs.
This transfer already improved dealing with by the tip of the primary session. Within the second, the Dutchman took to the monitor with a well-balanced automotive that required no additional adjustments. The RB21’s setup at present appears extra geared towards race efficiency than qualifying, displaying higher tyre administration general.
Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris examined two completely different compounds, with the previous on Mediums and the latter on Softs. Like Ferrari, the Woking automotive performs higher on Softs. Lando Norris was seven tenths sooner than his teammate and managed efficiency drop-off significantly better. After the fourth lap, Oscar Piastri’s lap instances started to rise by over 0.15s per lap, whereas Lando was nonetheless capable of trim his lap time.
Tyre administration was additionally difficult for the Mercedes drivers. Each accomplished greater than 10 laps on Softs, displaying speedy issues with rear tyre temperature administration. Kimi Antonelli skilled a extra gradual efficiency drop in comparison with his teammate, who suffered from “early graining.”
This difficulty arises when a compound is used too aggressively whereas nonetheless chilly. The tread particles involved with the asphalt vitrify, and solely after a number of laps and a few tyre put on does efficiency return, as was the case for the British driver.
Lastly, the FP1 telemetry information illustrates this. Within the first session, the Ferrari drivers confirmed a very good tempo throughout a comparatively lengthy stint. If we exclude Max Verstappen—who ran a shorter stint, Charles Leclerc had discovered wonderful automotive steadiness. The Monegasque didn’t complain about grip or tyre temperature administration over the radio, in contrast to in FP2.
Furthermore, the degradation chart exhibits how nicely Charles Leclerc managed efficiency drop-off on the Softs. Ferrari will now have to reconcile the setups utilized in each periods and establish the basis of the efficiency hole on the Medium tyres. The Ferrari engineers made important adjustments between the 2 periods to a automotive that had beforehand been nicely balanced, choosing a setup that was too stiff.
This doubtless benefited aerodynamic effectivity via medium-speed corners however elevated tyre slip throughout traction phases, elevating temperatures. In a single day simulator work shall be important to discover a convergence level and supply the drivers with a extra drivable automotive. Solely on this approach will they have the ability to extract efficiency in each qualifying and the race.
— see video above —
Purchase official Ferrari F1 merchandise!
Let different Scuderia Followers find out about us
