Ferrari is at a important juncture. Extremely, it’s nonetheless competing for the 2024 Formulation 1 Constructors’ Championship title, an surprising scenario. The Maranello group started the season with a stable basis. The preliminary updates have been promising, though they didn’t absolutely ship the estimated positive factors from the design part on monitor. Then, as has been the case for a while, the SF-24’s optimum working vary was misplaced this 12 months. With out this problem, issues would undoubtedly be totally different.
Final week’s Qatar Grand Prix noticed the Maranello group claw again 3 factors from McLaren throughout the 2 races. It might have been far worse had Lando Norris not been penalized in a fairly naive method. That penalty retains the Italian group’s hopes alive forward of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Recovering 21 factors with out help from the Woking group itself won’t be a straightforward job. A hypothetical Ferrari one-two end, for example, wouldn’t suffice if each MCL38 vehicles end proper behind Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz. This highlights how difficult Ferrari’s mission is.
Ferrari group principal Frederic Vasseur will not be giving up, nor are the drivers. Believing till the tip prices nothing. Nonetheless, imagining the Maranello squad reaching a one-two end on the 5.281-kilometre Yas Marina Circuit on Yas Island is troublesome, particularly contemplating Ferrari has by no means received in Abu Dhabi. Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc are however motivated, prepared to present their all and capitalize on any errors by McLaren. A group that, had it optimized outcomes over the season, would have already got the Constructors’ Trophy secured. This provides Ferrari a sliver of hope, dreaming of one other present from its rivals.
The Abu Dhabi monitor incorporates a technical and sophisticated structure, characterised by a mixture of straights and medium-speed corners that demand a steadiness between aerodynamic downforce and mechanical traction. The comparatively uniform monitor floor floor doesn’t pose vital challenges in tire administration, however the area’s sometimes excessive temperatures place thermal stress on the tires, making thermal administration essential, significantly within the last sector. Balancing aerodynamics and mechanics shall be important for tackling the circuit.
The monitor rewards aerodynamic effectivity and lateral grip however penalizes compromises in rear-end administration. Ferrari arrives at a circuit that has traditionally highlighted the strengths of the Maranello automobile. Over the previous two years, the automobile has carried out persistently, adapting effectively to a monitor combining straights, technical corners, and prolonged stretches. Final 12 months, the SF-23 constructed its laps primarily on nook exits, gaining from the apex onward. Nonetheless, it misplaced floor to Pink Bull in nook entry phases.
This 12 months, the SF-24 single-seater has proven a very responsive entrance finish, a characteristic that would enable Ferrari to recuperate in nook entry, an space the place weaknesses emerged in 2023. Nonetheless, traction, much less stable in comparison with final season, represents a major problem. The Maranello group is assured, although, that it could actually optimize this side to attain a great outcome. The direct battle with McLaren would be the point of interest of the weekend, as the 2 groups compete for the Constructors’ Championship title. The 2 vehicles are anticipated to “construct their lap” in an identical method on one of these circuit.
With extra medium-speed corners in comparison with the gradual ones within the outdated Formulation 1 structure, each groups exhibit complementary traits. McLaren has considerably improved its top-speed parameter, particularly finish of straight velocity, in comparison with the final Formulation 1 season. Nonetheless, Ferrari has proven it could actually reply, making this comparability intriguing. Each groups will work on particular setups, with Ferrari possible choosing a medium-downforce wing mixed with an efficient beam wing configuration and a ground able to producing clear downforce and bettering stability.
Managing journey heights shall be essential to deal with any bumps alongside the circuit and keep away from compromising efficiency. Final season, a number of groups struggled with points, requesting some bumps to be flattened. Ferrari may affirm the usage of its newest up to date ground, significantly within the sharp edge space. In Qatar, after some constant-speed assessments in the course of the first free observe session, this main part was confirmed on Charles Leclerc’s automobile. That is additionally a constructive signal for the 2025 Formulation 1 automobile, because it signifies that they’re at the moment discovering correlation between simulation environments and the monitor.
The compromise between aerodynamics and mechanics shall be decisive. The historic Maranello group may select a barely softer setup to maximise suspension efficiency on the monitor’s irregularities and enhance cornering grip, whereas McLaren may go for stiffer options to reinforce the effectivity of the floor-diffuser group, a key issue of their effectiveness in medium-speed corners final 12 months. In any case, the automobile’s general steadiness shall be a central focus all through the weekend to optimize efficiency.
Tire administration shall be a key issue. It is going to be important to take care of optimum rear-end temperatures, particularly within the last sector, the place minor sliding might push the rear axle out of its ideally suited working window. Final 12 months, Ferrari accomplished the primary sector with the rear finish under the goal temperature and might want to work on bettering this to make sure constant tire administration all through the lap. The strategic selection of tires and their dynamic administration shall be important to the ultimate results of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
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