The race on the Las Vegas circuit was extremely thrilling and left no room for breath. Many pit stops and overtakes had been dictated by graining and excessive tire degradation, particularly of the Medium tires within the early a part of the race. It was clear from yesterday that we had been heading towards such a situation. With the monitor rendered “inexperienced” by the reopening of the streets to metropolis site visitors between Saturday and Sunday and the low temperatures, it was inevitable.
Because of this, we had already predicted a two-stop race relatively than a single cease as Pirelli urged. Groups anticipated this by saving two units of Exhausting C3 compound tires. The white tire carried out considerably higher than the C4. But, drivers who opted to make use of it within the early laps, whereas initially gaining a bonus over others, needed to swap to a two-stop technique as a consequence of graining, which additionally affected this compound.
We needed to wait till the ultimate a part of the GP for the exhausting tire to indicate its full potential. The monitor rubbered in, and regardless of the asphalt temperature of 17°C (the very best of the weekend), drivers managed the C3 significantly better towards the top. Lap instances grew to become aggressive and constant over stints longer than 20 laps.
Strategic Recap
Earlier than addressing Ferrari’s errors, let’s briefly evaluation the methods utilized by the drivers throughout the race.
The profitable technique employed by Russell and favored by most was Medium-Exhausting-Exhausting, executed by George, Hamilton, Sainz, Leclerc, Verstappen, Piastri, Hulkenberg, Tsunoda, Zhou, Stroll, and Lawson. Norris may have completed with the identical strategy however opted for a 3rd cease to suit Delicate tires on the final second to safe the bonus level for the quickest lap: 1’34’’874, setting a brand new circuit race file (beforehand held by Piastri in 2023 with 1’35’’490).
Sergio Perez climbed from P16 to P10 utilizing a Exhausting-Medium-Exhausting technique (maybe executing the race’s finest overtake, passing each Magnussen and Lawson in a single transfer). Colapinto and Bottas additionally used this tactic. Alonso completed outdoors the factors after selecting S-H-H, forcing an early cease on lap 4. Factors might need been attainable for the Spaniard had he began on Mediums. Ocon opted for M-H-S, and Magnussen was the one one with a single-stop Medium-Exhausting technique. Beginning twelfth and ending twelfth, the Danish Haas driver couldn’t match Hulkenberg, who, on two stops, scored factors and overtook Tsunoda, who had outqualified him on Saturday (Friday in Las Vegas).
The race additionally noticed two retirements as a consequence of technical causes: Gasly and Albon.
Ferrari’s Quite a few Errors, a Lacking Pit Wall
The SF-24 had the potential to win the race, a minimum of by way of pace. Leclerc demonstrated this by persistently battling Hamilton for the quickest laps. Nevertheless, a number of points plagued Ferrari’s efficiency.
The one factor finished proper was the beginning. Charles Leclerc overtook Pierre Gasly and Carlos Sainz instantly, slotting behind Russell. Each Ferraris had been just about on the rostrum, chasing Mercedes’ #63.
The primary mistake got here from Charles. The Monegasque driver grew to become overzealous. Whereas he had tempo on the Medium C4 tires, he uncared for tire administration, trying to assault Russell. On lap 4, throughout one such try, he ran extensive, compromising his first stint’s rhythm. From this second, the tires started shedding temperature, resulting in graining. Charles misplaced contact with Russell and confronted strain from Carlos. When the state of affairs grew to become irretrievable, each Sainz and Verstappen overtook him—a situation Ferrari ought to have managed higher.
The second error got here from the pit wall, which delayed Leclerc’s pit cease determination. By the point Charles pitted on lap 10, he was 10 seconds behind Russell.
Even Sainz struggled with Medium tire tempo. By lap 9, Russell was nonetheless lapping within the low 1’38’’ vary, whereas Sainz managed 1’39’’5, Verstappen 1’39’’0, Leclerc 1’41’’8, and Norris 1’40’’5. The sudden tempo drop additionally affected Carlos, who pitted on lap 11 after lapping at 1’40’’5, gifting extra seconds to Russell.
Ferrari did not intervene as Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc engaged in a battle, costing treasured time. Carlos had the higher hand and will have been allowed to chase George.
The second stint was much more sophisticated. Carlos Sainz pushed exhausting, whereas Leclerc adopted a extra cautious strategy, trailing his teammate. By lap 25, Sainz, Charles, and Hamilton had been inside 2 seconds. Leclerc, quicker than Sainz, wasn’t allowed to go—one other driver administration error. Carlos lastly let him by way of on lap 28.
At that second, Max Verstappen, 2.5 seconds forward of Charles Leclerc, pitted. Sainz, fighting tires, tried to comply with Max however was ordered to remain out after getting into the pit lane. Ferrari wasn’t prepared for the cease, forcing Carlos right into a maneuver the FIA fortunately selected to not penalize.
Lewis Hamilton demonstrated that this was the best time to cease, benefiting from recent Hards to overhaul Max and safe second place, ending 7 seconds behind Russell. Ferrari’s fifth error was failing to copy this name.
Within the last stint, Leclerc was a lot quicker than Carlos Sainz however couldn’t capitalize as a consequence of one other late cease that left him behind his teammate. Carlos then blocked him once more, persevering with an pointless confrontation. Collectively, they managed to overhaul Verstappen, with Sainz ending on the rostrum and Leclerc in fourth.
Ferrari’s efficiency left the impression that issues may have gone a lot in a different way. Mercedes was robust, however with fewer errors, Ferrari may have simply secured a double podium and even victory. As an alternative, the day highlighted the workforce’s lack of ability to optimize pit stops and driver administration.
Christmas Comes Early for Ferrari
It appears Ferrari is already within the Christmas spirit, gifting away presents. McLaren thanks them. Regardless of missing tempo, shedding solely 12 factors seems like a win, contemplating Qatar and Abu Dhabi are anticipated to favor the papaya-colored automobile’s traits.
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