The eve of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix within the Ferrari camp started with the motto of believing and pushing till the top to keep away from any regrets. The constructors’ title didn’t go to Maranello, however on this decisive weekend, the crew left no stone unturned, although the weekend turned sophisticated earlier than the follow classes, as a result of battery alternative on Charles Leclerc’s SF-24.
After the race, Ferrari crew principal Frederic Vasseur defined that past efficiency considerations, the actual situation prompting the alternative was the chance of a race retirement, one thing the Italian aspect clearly couldn’t afford given the aim of conserving their championship hopes alive. Undoubtedly, the penalty was a bitter word to start out the weekend, which was additional sophisticated by Charles Leclerc’s lap time cancellation in Q2, successfully sending him to the again of the grid.
The night time between Saturday and Sunday was filled with deliberation, particularly relating to whether or not to switch the Energy Unit. In the long run, they determined to stay with the unit already mounted on the automotive. This resolution made sense, because the degradation of the inner combustion engine over its life cycle has been lowered, notably since groups have targeted extra on reliability than pure energy following the freeze.
What shocked most was the choice to start out on medium tires, not solely as a result of there was at all times the chance that contact might additional compromise the race but additionally as a result of the exhausting tire doubtlessly provided larger strategic flexibility in a race the place there have been nonetheless some doubts, regardless of the overall intention to intention for a one-stop technique. It’s no coincidence that groups stored a second set of exhausting tires as a backup.
It was an all-in on the beginning, and it paid off, realistically exceeding Ferrari’s greatest expectations. To know why this was a daring alternative and, above all, an attacking technique, we have to return twelve months to final yr’s GP. Even then, restricted tire degradation would have allowed for a one-stop technique, however some groups’ early pit stops created a domino impact, shifting the race in direction of two stops.
This situation re-emerged this yr. Pirelli’s calculations steered {that a} one-stop technique ought to have been a number of seconds sooner than a two-stop, usually encouraging groups to intention for one cease whereas managing degradation. Nonetheless, if final yr’s scenario repeated, the race might have shifted to 2 stops, which a number of groups thought-about at one level throughout the Grand Prix.
Thus, the exhausting tire might have been a cautious however logical alternative. Whereas it might not have provided distinctive grip at the beginning, it might have allowed for an extended stint, observing opponents’ methods, and doubtlessly capitalizing on a Security Automotive at an opportune second. This was Mercedes’ reasoning, whereas Ferrari instantly clarified their attacking technique. If the beginning had not gone properly, recovering with the identical tires because the rivals would undoubtedly have required rethinking many points mid-race.
Conversely, Ferrari’s gamble on an aggressive race paid off higher than anticipated. Charles Leclerc’s sensible first lap was aided by a little bit of luck, with some favorable incidents, however his capability to extract the utmost, discover area, consider in himself, and make a distinction stood out. Rising to eighth place immediately put the Monegasque able to doubtlessly battle top-tier rivals on equal strategic footing at a degree within the race when the successful tactic was nonetheless unclear.
In the end, the medium tire turned from a possible threat into one of many keys to the rostrum. Charles Leclerc continued to climb the standings, reaching fourth place, earlier than going through the problem of George Russell, who was barely off kind this weekend in comparison with different races after dedicating a part of follow to experimental testing for the 2025 Method 1 season.
Though Charles Leclerc had good tempo, overtaking in Abu Dhabi is difficult, particularly when coming into soiled air, which will increase tire sliding within the third sector. This led Ferrari to deliberate on their subsequent transfer: after Mercedes didn’t take the bait on a feint geared toward pushing them right into a pit cease, Ferrari determined to drag the set off and name in Charles Leclerc.
At a time when different groups had already stopped, shifting the race in direction of two pit stops, Ferrari’s resolution was not with out doubts. The pit window was roughly the identical as final yr when the race shifted to 2 stops, making the chance of a repeat vital. If the exhausting tire held, Charles Leclerc would want to finish 38 laps on the identical set. Moreover, stopping early risked encountering site visitors from drivers like Pierre Gasly and Nico Hulkenberg, who had modified tires 5–6 laps earlier.
Stopping early was an aggressive but calculated alternative, as additionally they stored an eye fixed on Lewis Hamilton, lower than ten seconds behind and clearly on a one-stop technique. Just like the preliminary medium tire alternative, this daring resolution paid off, not solely as a result of the undercut labored but additionally as a result of the race unfolded as Ferrari had hoped.
Trying on the first stint on exhausting tires, many doubted whether or not the toughest compound might final till the top, and there was hypothesis concerning the subsequent pit window. When requested in code if he thought the tires might go the space, even Charles Leclerc expressed doubts.
Nonetheless, lap by lap, degradation proved manageable, shifting the race from a two-stop to a one-stop technique, making Ferrari’s alternative efficient, particularly in opposition to Lewis Hamilton.
Charles Leclerc’s comeback boiled down to 2 key elements: his capability to ship a surprising first lap and keep robust tempo in key race moments, and Ferrari’s daring technique. The Maranello crew took dangers in a Grand Prix the place they aimed to grab their probabilities till the top, leaving no room for remorse.
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