Ferrari is at a crucial juncture. Extremely, it’s nonetheless competing for the 2024 System 1 Constructors’ Championship title, an sudden state of affairs. The Maranello workforce started the season with a strong basis. The preliminary updates have been promising, though they didn’t totally ship the estimated positive factors from the design part on observe. Then, as has been the case for a while, the SF-24’s optimum working vary was misplaced this yr. With out this challenge, issues would undoubtedly be completely different.
Final week’s Qatar Grand Prix noticed the Maranello workforce claw again 3 factors from McLaren throughout the 2 races. It may have been far worse had Lando Norris not been penalized in a moderately naive method. That penalty retains the Italian workforce’s hopes alive forward of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Recovering 21 factors with out help from the Woking workforce itself is not going to be a straightforward job. A hypothetical Ferrari one-two end, as an example, wouldn’t suffice if each MCL38 automobiles end proper behind Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz. This highlights how difficult Ferrari’s mission is.
Ferrari workforce 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 workforce 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 reward from its rivals.
The Abu Dhabi observe includes a technical and sophisticated structure, characterised by a mixture of straights and medium-speed corners that demand a steadiness between aerodynamic downforce and mechanical traction. The comparatively uniform observe floor floor doesn’t pose important challenges in tire administration, however the area’s sometimes excessive temperatures place thermal stress on the tires, making thermal administration essential, notably within the ultimate sector. Balancing aerodynamics and mechanics will likely be important for tackling the circuit.
The observe 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 observe 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 Crimson Bull in nook entry phases.
This yr, the SF-24 single-seater has proven a very responsive entrance finish, a characteristic that would enable Ferrari to get better 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 workforce is assured, although, that it could actually optimize this facet to realize an excellent end result. 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 automobiles are anticipated to “construct their lap” in the same method on this kind of circuit.
With extra medium-speed corners in comparison with the gradual ones within the outdated System 1 structure, each groups exhibit complementary traits. McLaren has considerably improved its top-speed parameter, specifically finish of straight pace, in comparison with the final System 1 season. Nonetheless, Ferrari has proven it could actually reply, making this comparability intriguing. Each groups will work on particular setups, with Ferrari doubtless choosing a medium-downforce wing mixed with an efficient beam wing configuration and a flooring able to producing clear downforce and bettering stability.
Managing trip heights will likely 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 affirm using its newest up to date flooring, notably 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 observe.
The compromise between aerodynamics and mechanics will likely be decisive. The historic Maranello workforce would possibly select a barely softer setup to maximise suspension efficiency on the observe’s irregularities and enhance cornering grip, whereas McLaren would possibly go for stiffer options to boost 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 will likely be a central focus all through the weekend to optimize efficiency.
Tire administration will likely be a key issue. It is going to be important to take care of optimum rear-end temperatures, particularly within the ultimate sector, the place minor sliding may push the rear axle out of its ideally suited working window. Final yr, Ferrari accomplished the primary sector with the rear finish under the goal temperature and might want to work on bettering this to make sure constant tire administration all through the lap. The strategic alternative of tires and their dynamic administration will likely be crucial to the ultimate results of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
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