Scuderia Ferrari is competing for the F1 Constructors’ Championship in opposition to McLaren. The aggressive setting is Abu Dhabi, Yas Marina, the place the ultimate spherical of the 2024 Method 1 championship will happen. The observe is exclusive, that includes numerous sorts of corners mixed with two high-speed sections separated by a chicane. The observe floor isn’t very abrasive, however excessive temperatures pressure groups to handle tires within the third sector. An ideal aero-mechanical compromise will likely be wanted, as all the time, to ship one of the best efficiency. Ferrari should win and hope for assist from the Woking workforce.
Crimson Bull, nevertheless, led by Max Verstappen, might discover nice efficiency and be a part of the battle. Mercedes additionally can’t be dominated out of rivalry, as regardless of preferring cooler situations, the W15 has confirmed able to being aggressive, particularly with George Russell. It is going to even be Lewis Hamilton‘s final race with the Brackley workforce earlier than transferring to Ferrari, giving the Briton additional motivation to go away followers with a memorable impression. In brief, there are many causes for an thrilling F1 weekend.
For the ultimate occasion of the season, Method 1 groups arrive with exact aerodynamic decisions aimed toward discovering a fragile stability between effectivity and dealing with. These are key parts on a observe that includes medium-speed corners and the necessity for top mechanical grip. Crimson Bull stands out for testing two totally different rear wing specs, as noticed in pictures taken on Thursday by numerous journalists within the Yas Marina pitlane. Sergio Perez’s automobile is provided with the medium-load wing used on the Baku metropolis circuit in Azerbaijan. Its predominant profile is much less pronounced, whereas Max Verstappen‘s automobile options the higher-load model beforehand seen in the course of the season on the British Grand Prix in Silverstone. Each wings embody a nolder on the trailing edge. This strategy seems to replicate the purpose of reaching a transparent compromise: a extra rearward stability useful in medium-speed corners whereas addressing current points, reminiscent of these encountered in Qatar and Las Vegas.
Nevertheless, growing rear load to enhance stability on the RB20 might compromise prime speeds. The optimum selection stays to be seen. Ferrari has chosen a medium-load wing, additionally used on the Silverstone circuit, aiming to maximise prime speeds with out sacrificing grip. This strategy aligns with final season’s technique. Notably, in 2023, the Italian workforce adopted the same strategy, as seen in the present day.
Nonetheless, the present model of the wing contains a extra pronounced spoon profile, aiming to use a great setup window and, consequently, present the Maranello automobile with probably the most steady total stability doable. Ferrari is looking for a greater reference to the entrance finish of its automobile to ship a stability that satisfies each drivers. On automobile quantity 16, the “outdated” flooring is presently put in, slightly than the one launched in Las Vegas.
McLaren additionally arrives with a twin array of aerodynamic choices. The ultimate selection of the historic British workforce will largely depend upon the info collected on observe, mixed with suggestions from the drivers, because the sensitivity of the circuit requires correct validation of the simulations. One of many obtainable specs is the Barcelona model, that includes a really pronounced spoon profile and better downforce, whereas the opposite, launched in Austin, generates medium downforce. The problem will likely be to search out the stability that most closely fits the drivers.
That is undoubtedly a vital transfer to organize as successfully as doable for the ultimate championship problem and sort out the medium-speed corners effectively. Abu Dhabi is a observe that’s notably delicate to effectivity. The workforce will take a look at two specs, because the optimum downforce stage can not ideally be achieved with both wing alone. Consequently, the engineers have to be very shrewd in figuring out which of the 2 variations will higher go well with the MCL38, then full the setup by appropriately adjusting the journey heights and beam-wing angles.
Lastly, Mercedes depends on a medium-load spoon wing. That is additionally a model already examined efficiently in Canada, Barcelona, and Austria. A configuration that has demonstrated good stability and will present a possible benefit in a context the place discovering the optimum setup will likely be fairly useful for delivering a convincing efficiency. The selection of configurations by the varied F1 groups highlights a stability between conservative and experimental approaches, all aimed toward maximizing the potential of their automobiles in a decisive weekend.
— see video above —
Purchase official Ferrari F1 merchandise!
Let different Scuderia Followers find out about us
