McLaren gained the Constructors’ Championship, and Ferrari, in contrast, misplaced it. This occurred in the course of the 2024 Components 1 racing season. The reason being fairly clear sadly, contemplating the Maranello group’s errors. We’ve got reiterated this exhaustively, we should admit, in a number of articles devoted to the Italian group for a lot of months now. The problem stays the identical and revolves across the incapacity of the technical group led by Italian aerodynamicist Enrico Cardile, the previous technical director of the Maranello squad, to provide efficient aerodynamic package deal. And by now it’s a well-know undeniable fact that the Spanish Grand Prix was sadly the start of the catastrophe that crippled the Prancing Horse.
The Italian aspect launched a brand new model of the medium-to-high downforce rear wing. However a very powerful innovation was undoubtedly the ground, a vital macro-component for producing aerodynamic load. When such a component is launched on a automobile competing in a very powerful class of motorsport, it requires efficient on-track validation. Certainly, it isn’t in any respect easy to instantly decide whether or not the research carried out on the manufacturing unit, between simulator and wind tunnel, have actually resulted in a tangible enchancment. For that reason, on the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona, the decision remained undecided.
Nonetheless, between the Austrian Grand Prix and the race weekend in Nice Britain, the solutions got here loud and clear. The brand new flooring of the SF-24 didn’t work as supposed. It generated appreciable instability when it comes to dealing with, eliminating the characteristic of the Ferrari that drivers appreciated most: its predictability. There was important bouncing and, usually talking, nice problem in using the right experience heights. On the Hungarian Grand Prix, a “fast repair” was launched by the Maranello group’s technicians and engineers, which was in reality a preliminary modification to make this element extra manageable whereas ready for a wholly new flooring, which might solely arrive in Italy for the house race on the Monza circuit.
Within the meantime, six races the place the SF-24 showcased all its limitations. Aggressive eventualities wherein Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz have been compelled into fixed adaptation, yielding no constructive outcomes. Throughout this a part of the 2024 Components 1 season, Ferrari misplaced its likelihood to win the Constructors’ Championship. Moreover, contemplating Charles Leclerc’s last hole of 81 factors to Max Verstappen, the concept that the Monegasque might have competed for the Drivers’ Championship will not be far-fetched in any respect. There may be additionally one other challenge weighing on the Constructors’ outcomes, the place the ultimate margin was a lot smaller, specifically might Ferrari have gained the Constructors’ with out McLaren’s Mini DRS?
What we’re referring to is intently inked to the disputes concerning McLaren’s legality. This brings us again to the dialogue in regards to the rear wing. A form of “mini drag discount system,” with which the MCL38 might preserve a downforce stage much like Ferrari’s however get pleasure from a transparent benefit in high-speed sections. Basically, drag was diminished due to a selected aeroelasticity of the component, which might barely open on straights even with the drag discount system closed. This benefit was estimated at a high velocity acquire of a minimum of 3 or 4 kilometers per hour, which is clearly not insignificant in any respect.
Inside this situation, there are two interrelated points that elevate issues and never only for Ferrari. The primary includes the FIA’s perspective following Purple Bull’s report. To begin with, if the Milton Keynes group had not filed a criticism, the MCL38 would have continued utilizing the disputed wing till the tip of the 2024 Components 1 championship. This highlights the inadequacy of the legislative physique, which makes the foundations however is totally incapable of implementing them. Furthermore, as soon as the questionable legality was established, the Worldwide Federation didn’t penalize McLaren.
As a substitute, it politely invited the Woking group to retire the precise element. Moreover, by its technical director, former Ferrari engineer Nicholas Tombazis, it said that sure previous circumstances couldn’t be verified and subsequently instantly closed the matter. Sweeping the difficulty beneath the rug, primarily. That is the FIA’s method. Creating such a precedent is extremely dangerous in Components 1. Why? As a result of a group that goes unpunished units an instance for others, which, in flip, will really feel entitled to make use of borderline or outright unlawful options, realizing they may face no penalties.
Nonetheless, in our view, essentially the most severe matter issues the second challenge that surfaced with the modification to the technical rules for subsequent 12 months. The regulatory physique launched a change that appears tailored to forestall an identical or equivalent answer to that utilized by McLaren from being replicated. Beginning in 2025, the flap of the movable wing should adhere to the identical deformation restrictions as the remainder of the bodywork when the drag discount system is inactive. To be even clearer, the regulatory physique added a clause by way of Article 3.10.10.
There should be a compulsory minimal distance between the 2 components of the rear wing when the drag discount system will not be lively. Throughout the wingspan, the rear-end profiles should preserve a minimal distance between 9.4 and 13 millimeters. This parameter will likely be enforced when the system is inactive, with FIA inspections utilizing a calibrated spherical device to make sure full compliance earlier than official classes. At this level, a query arises and provides us a lot to consider concerning the matter.
Why does the FIA “ban” McLaren’s answer, thus deeming it unlawful, but in the course of the championship selected to miss it and never penalize a group that derived clear advantages? Is that this the usual process? Can we discuss a skewed championship? Simply within the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on the Baku metropolis circuit, the place the MCL38’s “Mini DRS” made the distinction, if we subtract 7 factors from Oscar Piastri (who completed first) and add them to Charles Leclerc, second on the end, the 2 groups would have tied with 659 factors. Furthermore, Ferrari would have had yet one more victory. However sadly, retroactive penalties don’t exist.
— see video above —
Purchase official Ferrari F1 merchandise!
Let different Scuderia Followers learn about us
