Lewis Hamilton’s arrival at Scuderia Ferrari is definitely the occasion that defines the pre-season of Method 1. It’s an incidence that each Liberty Media and the Worldwide Federation are winking at, conscious of the affect of this pairing and the visibility it should convey to an important class of motorsport. Nonetheless, even among the many incurable optimists, there’s a doubt that nobody dares to voice. So, we are going to voice it: is the seven-time Method 1 world champion on the downward slope of his exceptional profession filled with achievements?
Will he nonetheless be capable of return to being the successful driver he was till the 2021 season, at forty years previous? Is the partnership with Ferrari an excessive try to search out motivation, now tucked away as a result of mediocrity of Mercedes’ current technical initiatives? Within the final three years, all numerical indicators have favored his Mercedes teammate. George Russell, ranging from the 2022 Method 1 championship, has secured extra wins, extra pole positions, and in two out of three seasons, he has completed forward of the seven-time world champion within the driver standings.
A superficial observer, based mostly on these details, may solely declare the next: Lewis Hamilton is now a “completed” driver who sought a “retirement” in Maranello to finish his extraordinary profession. In spite of everything, as Sebastian Vettel mentioned in a well-known interview, deep down, everyone seems to be a fan of Ferrari. A advertising operation certain to succeed, however with many questions on the potential for seeing the “prime” model of the British driver once more. To transcend the statistical information, we carried out an evaluation.
Probably the most dependable efficiency indices are two: lap velocity and race tempo. As for Saturday, the partial rating of 19 to five in opposition to George Russell leaves little room for excuses. However for race tempo, the scenario could be very completely different. Discounting three rounds during which the 2 Silver Arrows didn’t make it to the checkered flag, it’s evident that Lewis Hamilton’ tempo was superior to George Russell’s 12 occasions out of 21. It is a very shocking truth, demonstrating Lewis Hamilton’s capability to “hammer” over the 300 kilometer distance as in the very best phases of his astonishing profession.
It is a information level that holds the next qualitative worth than anticipated as a result of the British driver nearly all the time began behind his fellow countryman and, in lots of circumstances, obtained entangled in midfield battles that have been very detrimental to his race technique. Simply consider the Las Vegas Grand Prix, the place the brand new Ferrari driver was clearly the quickest, however his grid place didn’t permit him to transcend second place, proper behind his youthful teammate. There may be an fascinating truth right here, pondering of the Prancing Horse on this regard.
By some unusual accident, contemplating the 2024 Method 1 season marketing campaign for Ferrari, there’s a frequent future. Each Lewis Hamilton and the Maranello staff’s future automotive will purpose to enhance efficiency on the only lap. Final season, Charles Leclerc, among the best qualifiers within the historical past of the highest class, solely secured three pole positions. This regardless of the SF-24 being, general, an excellent automotive.
We’re speaking a few clear consequence stemming from the exact intent of the technicians and engineers at Maranello, who, through the design section, determined to create a Method 1 automotive extra centered on efficiency through the race, with an eye fixed on the mere administration of tires over the 300 kilometer distance. One of many points that has all the time plagued Italian automobiles in recent times. On this regard, we will say that this consequence has largely been achieved by the Maranello staff, regardless of the “troubled” growth plan that successfully affected a doubtlessly successful season.
Nonetheless, to be extra particular, in qualifying, tire preparation was usually complicated, compromising the grid place of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz. The Singapore Grand Prix weekend on the Marina Bay Road Circuit is enlightening on this sense. For that reason, the Ferrari mission 677 was produced to placed on observe a automotive able to delivering most efficiency even on a single lap, serving to Lewis Hamilton regain the arrogance he misplaced within the final three years, throughout which he secured just one pole place on the 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix. As for the races, as talked about, there can be no efficiency points.
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