Ferrari is at a crucial juncture. Extremely, it’s nonetheless competing for the 2024 System 1 Constructors’ Championship title, an sudden scenario. The Maranello group started the season with a strong basis. The preliminary updates had been promising, though they didn’t absolutely ship the estimated beneficial properties from the design section on monitor. Then, as has been the case for a while, the SF-24’s optimum working vary was misplaced this yr. With out this concern, issues would undoubtedly be totally different.
Final week’s Qatar Grand Prix noticed the Maranello group claw again 3 factors from McLaren throughout the 2 races. It may have been far worse had Lando Norris not been penalized in a fairly naive method. That penalty retains the Italian group’s hopes alive forward of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Recovering 21 factors with out help from the Woking group itself won’t be a simple process. A hypothetical Ferrari one-two end, as an example, wouldn’t suffice if each MCL38 vehicles end proper behind Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz. This highlights how difficult Ferrari’s mission is.
Ferrari group principal Frederic Vasseur is just not giving up, nor are the drivers. Believing till the tip prices nothing. Nonetheless, imagining the Maranello squad attaining a one-two end on the 5.281-kilometre Yas Marina Circuit on Yas Island is troublesome, particularly contemplating Ferrari has by no means gained in Abu Dhabi. Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc are nonetheless motivated, prepared to present their all and capitalize on any errors by McLaren. A group that, had it optimized outcomes over the season, would have already got the Constructors’ Trophy secured. This offers Ferrari a sliver of hope, dreaming of one other present from its opponents.
The Abu Dhabi monitor encompasses a technical and sophisticated format, characterised by a mixture of straights and medium-speed corners that demand a steadiness between aerodynamic downforce and mechanical traction. The comparatively uniform monitor floor floor doesn’t pose important challenges in tire administration, however the area’s usually excessive temperatures place thermal stress on the tires, making thermal administration essential, significantly within the ultimate sector. Balancing aerodynamics and mechanics shall be important for tackling the circuit.
The monitor rewards aerodynamic effectivity and lateral grip however penalizes compromises in rear-end administration. Ferrari arrives at a circuit that has traditionally highlighted the strengths of the Maranello automobile. Over the previous two years, the automobile has carried out constantly, adapting effectively to a monitor combining straights, technical corners, and prolonged stretches. Final yr, the SF-23 constructed its laps primarily on nook exits, gaining from the apex onward. Nonetheless, it misplaced floor to Purple Bull in nook entry phases.
This yr, the SF-24 single-seater has proven a very responsive entrance finish, a characteristic that might permit Ferrari to get well in nook entry, an space the place weaknesses emerged in 2023. Nonetheless, traction, much less strong in comparison with final season, represents a major problem. The Maranello group is assured, although, that it may optimize this side to realize a great consequence. The direct battle with McLaren would be the point of interest of the weekend, as the 2 groups compete for the Constructors’ Championship title. The 2 vehicles are anticipated to “construct their lap” in an analogous method on this sort of circuit.
With extra medium-speed corners in comparison with the gradual ones within the outdated System 1 format, each groups exhibit complementary traits. McLaren has considerably improved its top-speed parameter, particularly finish of straight velocity, in comparison with the final System 1 season. Nonetheless, Ferrari has proven it may reply, making this comparability intriguing. Each groups will work on particular setups, with Ferrari seemingly choosing a medium-downforce wing mixed with an efficient beam wing configuration and a ground able to producing clear downforce and enhancing stability.
Managing journey heights shall be essential to deal with any bumps alongside the circuit and keep away from compromising efficiency. Final season, a number of groups struggled with points, requesting some bumps to be flattened. Ferrari would possibly verify using its newest up to date ground, significantly within the sharp edge space. In Qatar, after some constant-speed assessments throughout the first free apply session, this main part was confirmed on Charles Leclerc’s automobile. That is additionally a constructive signal for the 2025 System 1 automobile, because it signifies that they’re presently discovering correlation between simulation environments and the monitor.
The compromise between aerodynamics and mechanics shall be decisive. The historic Maranello group would possibly select a barely softer setup to maximise suspension efficiency on the monitor’s irregularities and enhance cornering grip, whereas McLaren would possibly go for stiffer options to reinforce the effectivity of the floor-diffuser group, a key issue of their effectiveness in medium-speed corners final yr. In any case, the automobile’s total steadiness shall be a central focus all through the weekend to optimize efficiency.
Tire administration shall be a key issue. Will probably be important to keep up optimum rear-end temperatures, particularly within the ultimate sector, the place minor sliding may push the rear axle out of its superb working window. Final yr, Ferrari accomplished the primary sector with the rear finish under the goal temperature and might want to work on enhancing this to make sure constant tire administration all through the lap. The strategic selection of tires and their dynamic administration shall be crucial to the ultimate results of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
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