What sort of Ferrari did we see in Jeddah? The identical as all the time could be probably the most correct reply. The truth is, this so-called step ahead has been talked about for a month and a half now. And but, regardless of all of the discuss that there appears to be a glimmer of sunshine, in actuality darkness and gloomy tones proceed to prevail. The frustration impacts not solely the followers but additionally lingers of their minds.
Ferrari did optimize issues with Charles
Fred Vasseur claims extra might have been completed, as a result of shedding greater than two and a half tenths in two corners just isn’t acceptable. That’s precisely what occurred to Ferrari, however the causes are completely different and fairly clear. Fred states that by optimizing efficiency, the hole would have been completely different, however we strongly disagree. Charles Leclerc doesn’t agree both. That’s precisely why he’s disenchanted with Ferrari.
The group went out with a baseline setup the place the SF-25 labored effectively within the extra technical sectors. Nevertheless, in path modifications it lacked the required precision — a state of affairs, as defined in our common technical evaluation, that led the group to stiffen the automobile additional. Some enhancements adopted, however as a consequence, grip administration within the slower corners worsened.
The story stays the identical. The notorious quick blanket: wherever you pull it, you expose a weak spot. That’s why there’s no level in speaking about optimization. Automotive quantity 16, in Leclerc’s fingers, produced an excellent lap. As soon as once more, Charles drove past the automobile’s issues. He did it by taking main dangers. The snap in Flip 16 in the course of the Q3 flying lap is the right snapshot of the state of affairs.
Fred’s flawed and puzzling view
Over a 300-kilometre race, in principle, tyre degradation must be a lot decrease than in Bahrain. There could also be some graining points on the entrance tyres, which have a tendency to chill down on the straights — that’s true. Fred Vasseur additionally claims that Ferrari has all the time carried out effectively with a excessive gasoline load. We’re not precisely positive which automobile Fred, all the time cheerful, is referring to.
As a result of if “performing effectively” means not even reaching the rostrum in 4 races, then that claims all of it. In FP2, the lengthy runs had been disrupted because of Yuki Tsunoda’s crash at Flip 27. Just a few laps had been accomplished, which can not and shouldn’t be a reference. The hole to McLaren was effectively over a second within the two laps put collectively, which suggests the gasoline hundreds had been considerably completely different.
Furthermore, the Ferrari group principal claims that in races, the Maranello automobile performs higher than in qualifying. Once more, based mostly on the typical gaps over the primary three races, we don’t see such a giant distinction in race tempo. We’re speaking in regards to the common 3–4 tenths per lap on common — which, the truth is, had been typically smaller in qualifying. Once more, we wrestle to grasp the rationale for these statements.
The Frenchman’s proud stance
“We’re not right here to be three tenths off pole.” Setting apart the truth that the hole was virtually 4 tenths, even the followers don’t attend races to see Ferrari getting overwhelmed by that margin. However followers can solely watch and assist. Those that even have the ability to alter issues and make a distinction are those throughout the group. And so they should act quick.
Fred Vasseur has a sense — a hunch that factors to the shortcoming to place every part collectively. However nothing modifications, Fred. It’s all the time the identical story. With this automobile, there merely wasn’t extra to be completed. Charles’ phrases are so clear that they categorically contradict Fred Vasseur’s pondering. Then we transfer on to the supposed tyre administration talked about earlier. In keeping with Ferrari’s boss, every part will depend upon that.
True: this 12 months greater than ever, tyres are taking part in a key function in efficiency. However in the long run, assuming equal talent in managing them, the sooner automobile will all the time come out on prime. And with all due respect to the previous Alfa Romeo boss, we strongly doubt the SF-25 will present higher tempo than McLaren, Purple Bull or Mercedes. We’d be completely happy to be confirmed mistaken, after all. Pleased Easter to everybody — even to Fred.
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