Interlagos is commonly synonymous with unpredictability, notably due to the uncertainty surrounding the Brazilian climate, with rain probably enjoying a job once more this weekend in line with latest forecasts. Nevertheless, by way of efficiency, the São Paulo circuit has to date met the pre-race expectations, with McLaren establishing itself as the favourite by securing your complete entrance row in dash qualifying.
Though Andrea Stella had instructed that Interlagos is likely to be an unknown variable on this ultimate a part of the season, figuring out different tracks as doubtlessly higher suited to spotlight the MCL38’s strengths, Ferrari anticipated that sure features of Interlagos would pose larger challenges for the SF-24 than the final two races.
At Austin and Mexico Metropolis, in addition to at Singapore and Baku, different circuits the place the Maranello automotive carried out properly, there aren’t as many lengthy corners that expose the restrictions of the entrance finish, that are extra evident at São Paulo. Nevertheless, this isn’t the one purpose McLaren triumphed in Friday’s quick qualifying session; as in different rounds this season, McLaren’s robust general steadiness as soon as once more emerged as a key benefit for the MCL38.
Balanced McLaren, Ferrari’s weaknesses resurface
For example, evaluating Oscar Piastri’s pole lap with Charles Leclerc’s, who will begin third tomorrow, the primary noticeable issue is the Woking automotive’s means to hold excessive speeds into the nook whereas remaining aggressive by the mid-corner.
Flip 8 braking is essential for setting a quick lap, as drivers come from the high-speed Flip 7 sequence and attempt to straighten the automotive as shortly as doable earlier than making ready for the following braking zone. Nevertheless, a lot of the deceleration section occurs in what is known as a “mixed” method, the place the driving force is on the brake pedal whereas the automotive remains to be rotating, which notably stresses the entrance finish. McLaren’s progress on this space over the previous 12 months is obvious.
Whereas climate stays the first unknown this weekend, sure efficiency components mirror tendencies noticed all through the season, like Ferrari’s normal lack of competitiveness in very quick corners. This challenge resurfaced at Interlagos, as seen in Turns 6 and seven. An attention-grabbing level is the distinction in method in comparison with McLaren drivers: Charles Leclerc can anticipate throttle reapplication with out totally lifting off, gaining a 7 km/h high pace benefit in Flip 6.
Alternatively, Charles Leclerc can’t totally open the throttle progressively, not like the McLarens, which, although slower to reapply the throttle, have been extra linear, gaining time in Flip 7 and on the quick stretch main into Flip 8 braking.
The primary chicane additionally reveals a McLaren benefit. Throughout apply, Ferrari tried to tweak its method with its drivers, particularly in how they braked into Flip 1, which affected the setup for Flip 2. Right here, the MCL38 proved very efficient, not solely by attaining greater speeds on entry and thru the nook but additionally by offering each drivers with robust acceleration towards Flip 4, reaching a peak 3 km/h greater.
Taking a look at Flip 4 reveals one other subject for evaluation: missed alternatives. Though Oscar Piastri clinched pole by delivering within the decisive second, Norris misplaced out because of errors within the ultimate moments, squandering potential that would have positioned him forward of his teammate. Whereas the Australian’s tempo was robust, Norris’s benefit in sure monitor sections, akin to Flip 4 the place he was in a position to brake late and carry excessive mid-corner pace, was tangible, however lacking his second try weighed on his ambitions.
After qualifying, Charles Leclerc admitted that, whereas he gained’t concede defeat, McLaren stays the clear favourite for the weekend due to its balanced aerodynamics, together with a brand new medium-load wing, and mechanical setup that absorbs monitor irregularities properly. In the meantime, after robust ends in Austin and Mexico, Ferrari has returned to going through acquainted weaknesses, although minor enhancements are evident. Excessive-speed and lengthy corners proceed to problem the SF-24 over a single lap.
One other key challenge is tires, notably with the dash in thoughts. Temperatures different considerably on Friday, with monitor temperatures dropping from over 50°C throughout FP1 to simply over 30°C by qualifying as clouds rolled in. With such massive fluctuations, it turns into tough for groups to pinpoint the perfect window, some extent Carlos Sainz additionally talked about after qualifying. Ferrari believes it has a automotive extra targeted on tire administration than pure efficiency. In FP1, they examined stints that appeared extra suited to the dash than Sunday’s race, however their tempo was nonetheless aggressive.
Crimson Bull: Combating bumps
Temperature, climate, and new asphalt all play a job. Interlagos was resurfaced this 12 months, however paradoxically, the brand new floor is even bumpier than earlier than. The Brazilian monitor has all the time been difficult on this respect, however the work achieved for this season appears to have worsened the issue. This caught groups off guard, forcing changes to setups, akin to elevating the trip top within the case of Mercedes and Crimson Bull.
The Brackley crew has proven within the final two GPs that they’re aiming for the bottom doable trip top, to the extent that drivers regularly complained throughout apply concerning the automotive scraping the bottom. For Crimson Bull, such points don’t swimsuit the traits of the RB20.
Crimson Bull’s strengths and weaknesses are these seen all through the season: glorious efficiency in quicker corners, particularly in Turns 6 and seven, the place Max Verstappen carries a ten km/h benefit, showcasing the effectiveness of the RB20’s aerodynamics in these sections.
Nevertheless, on the subject of working the entrance finish and pushing the entrance tires, Crimson Bull’s recurring steadiness points floor once more. Past peak speeds, Max Verstappen can’t push into Turns 8 and 9 because of understeer, nor in Flip 4, the place Lando Norris’s margin over him is even larger than Oscar Piastri’s.
These components counteract the benefit in quick corners, compounded by the RB20’s tendency to undergo from bumps, resulting in a bouncy trip that reduces confidence. Crimson Bull seems to have chosen a higher-downforce setup than its rivals, probably aiming to handle tire put on for the race or put together for potential rain in Interlagos. Notably, the Milton Keynes crew was among the many most lively in FP1, working excessive gas masses in an extended stint, clearly making ready extra for the race than the dash.
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