With just one free follow session obtainable throughout a Dash weekend, such a robust displaying in Qatar appeared unlikely. However, Ferrari took a daring step by bringing again the experimental flooring first launched in Las Vegas. After its preliminary use within the U.S., the place it was primarily used for knowledge assortment, the ground made its return on Charles Leclerc’s automobile in Losail. Right here’s what the telemetry evaluation reveals when evaluating Ferrari’s outdated and new flooring in the course of the quickest laps in Qatar FP1.
In 2024, Ferrari launched a number of iterations of the SF-24’s flooring. Following the debut’s baseline model, an replace was rolled out in Barcelona, which negatively impacted the efficiency of each Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz. That model later developed into the Monza flooring, designed with a forward-looking strategy towards 2025. The Qatar model, beforehand seen in Las Vegas, represents not simply an evolution however a revolution of its predecessor.
Important adjustments had been made, particularly to the ground’s edges, essentially altering the habits of this important aerodynamic element. These modifications drastically improved airflow administration below the automobile. Primarily based on onboard footage and telemetry knowledge, the brand new flooring delivered positive factors even in slower corners (Flip 6), regardless of a stiffer setup geared toward enhancing efficiency by high-speed sections.
Supply: fingenerale
Supply: fingenerale
The comparability within the 7-8-9 sequence, regardless of these being long-radius corners, is especially promising. Whereas Carlos Sainz needed to raise barely between Turns 8 and 9, Charles Leclerc stored the throttle totally open with out shedding grip, as proven by the acceleration graph. Charles Leclerc’s inputs had been a lot cleaner, sustaining 100% throttle all through.
An much more spectacular outcome for the brand new flooring is clear within the horseshoe part (Turns 12-13-14). Final yr, Ferrari was pressured to raise off considerably, shedding mid-corner pace. Whereas the Monza flooring on Carlos Sainz’s automobile represents a major enchancment, the Spaniard nonetheless needed to raise barely to keep up turn-in stability.
Supply: fingenerale
Supply: fingenerale
Charles Leclerc, nevertheless, managed to take the primary a part of the sequence flat out, confirmed by acceleration knowledge displaying no pace loss. The important thing distinction got here within the cornering section, the place Charles Leclerc maintained a median pace 10 km/h increased than his teammate.
Now Ferrari faces an important determination: proceed utilizing the brand new flooring for the rest of the weekend or put it aside for additional refinement forward of 2025. Whatever the selection, the primary product from the brand new wind tunnel has exceeded expectations. Furthermore, it has addressed a important weak point of the SF-24: warming up the entrance tires. That is particularly vital at Losail, a circuit recognized for being front-limited.
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