At Ferrari, there was no hiding: the Qatar GP wouldn’t be favorable for the SF-24. In reality, the Scuderia was pressured to play defensively to restrict the harm within the constructors’ standings in opposition to McLaren, which discovered the Losail circuit extra suited to the traits of its automobile. Thus, Ferrari approached the Dash periods first and qualifying later absolutely respecting these expectations, left with a bitter style after a promising first apply session.
Nevertheless, over time, the efficiency of the SF-24 improved, though it was not akin to the leaders, with McLaren proving superior within the Dash periods (higher than a nervous and understeering Ferrari). This was a problem that the group’s engineers couldn’t resolve earlier than Parc Fermé forward of the race qualification, the place the SF-24 continued to underperform, ending behind McLaren, Mercedes, and Pink Bull. Throughout the race, up till the chaotic finale, the state of affairs appeared unchanged—lower than splendid for the battle for the constructors’ title—with McLaren seemingly in higher form and lengthening their lead within the standings. Nevertheless, the ultimate laps, aided by Charles Leclerc’s restart and Norris’s harsh penalty for not slowing beneath yellow flags, allowed Ferrari to overturn the state of affairs, ending second and sixth with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, narrowing the hole to their papaya-colored rivals and suspending the constructors’ title combat to the ultimate race in Abu Dhabi.
A tense and chaotic race, analyzed by Ferrari’s group principal Fréd Vasseur on Sky Sport F1. Fred Vasseur first expressed his satisfaction at deferring the constructors’ title choice to Abu Dhabi, then delved into the chaotic race finale and subsequent penalties imposed on Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton.
“It’s good that the championship can be determined in Abu Dhabi. Talking of the penalties, we are able to’t argue about them, however relating to the mirror subject, we are able to actually say that the Security Automotive may have been deployed earlier. It will have been much less harmful. This occurred throughout Leclerc’s overtaking of Bottas. But it surely was unlucky for everybody. It’s straightforward to remark now; it might have been higher to deploy a VSC and clear the observe, however I imagine they didn’t anticipate every thing that occurred. It was off the racing line, however on the road used for overtaking.”
The Ferrari boss was then requested in regards to the technique adopted, which was very conservative within the first laps when Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc had been instructed to not push to keep away from tire put on however finally gathered a major hole from the leaders.
“We weren’t frightened about degradation; it was merely our plan: handle for 7-8 laps, and the drivers dealt with it properly. Solely after that did we push. We introduced ahead the cease, however I feel the technique was good.”
Moreover, the French supervisor commented on the choice to not match Mushy tires on Charles Leclerc’s automobile within the last laps to problem McLaren’s Oscar Piastri. It was a selection deemed too dangerous by the group in crimson…
“No, we pitted two laps earlier and had been assured within the Exhausting tires to push to the tip. We thought of becoming the Softs, however we might have needed to handle them in a different way. Plus, a pit cease can all the time current dangers.” – the French supervisor identified.
Lastly, an inevitable query in regards to the constructors’ title battle, which can finally be determined in Abu Dhabi—a observe extra suited to Ferrari, the place your entire group will give it their all till the final nook of the final lap of the 2024 Components 1 season.
“Let’s get by means of this race first. We’re nonetheless within the combat; something is feasible. We will concentrate on McLaren. We’re forward of Pink Bull, and Abu Dhabi will swimsuit us higher. With Max within the combine and Mercedes within the pack, every thing can be unsure. We’ll push like loopy till the final lap, and we’ll see.”
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