After a number of convincing performances, forward of the 2024 Method 1 United States Grand Prix, there was discuss of an “Austin take a look at” for Scuderia Ferrari, not solely as a result of the American observe is likely one of the most full on the calendar, but in addition as a result of Ferrari was in search of affirmation of the effectiveness of the updates launched because the Italian Grand Prix on the Monza circuit, even on tracks probably much less favorable to the traits of the SF-24 single-seater.
An examination that, regardless of some small points over the Austin weekend, may very well be stated to have been handed with honors due to a well-deserved one-two end secured by Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, primarily based on what was seen on observe through the race, each by way of efficiency and race technique. Ferrari celebrated their fourth win of the 2024 Method 1 championship with a automotive that, as soon as once more, used its long-distance efficiency as its finest weapon to shock its rivals.
Nevertheless, it’s fascinating to know how this victory got here collectively and, extra importantly, how that superiority, particularly within the first a part of the race on the medium tires, took form. This was when Charles Leclerc laid the groundwork for his third win of the season with a tempo that was merely unreachable for everybody else.
Although they didn’t handle to safe the entrance row, after the qualifying session, each Ferrari drivers confirmed a sure confidence going into the race on the 5.513-kilometre Circuit of The Americas in Austin. This was not solely as a result of some optimistic indicators in regards to the SF-24’s potential had already been seen within the dash, but in addition as a result of on the softer tire in qualifying, there have been particular limitations that have been anticipated to have much less impression within the race.
A part of the key to their success lies on this fluctuation in efficiency between qualifying and the race, as a result of through the Sunday race, Ferrari proved to be very efficient not solely in areas the place it had already proven good qualities over the weekend, corresponding to in traction in slower zones, but in addition within the quick corners, the place that they had struggled in qualifying. In Austin, some groups struggled to handle the deformation of the gentle tires within the quick corners, preferring as a substitute the better assist supplied by tougher compounds, together with Ferrari. Moreover, because the drivers themselves famous, in qualifying the SF-24 suffered from bottoming on the bumps in a number of elements of the observe, such because the snake part, which decreased the drivers’ confidence.
Charles Leclerc defined that he believed there had been important progress within the resurfaced sections. Nevertheless, he famous that within the first sector, other than Flip 1, which had been resurfaced, there was nonetheless appreciable work wanted on Turns 3, 4, 5, 6, and seven because of the quite a few bumps.
These elements had much less of an impression on Ferrari’s efficiency through the race, to the extent that the Maranello group made only a few setup modifications within the post-sprint window, as they have been assured that they had discovered an excellent window for the race. As seen within the dash, utilizing tougher tires offered simpler assist within the quick corners. Moreover, with decrease speeds within the race, the impact of sliding on the asphalt was decreased, making it simpler for the drivers to seek for and discover the restrict.
Undoubtedly, Charles Leclerc’s gamble to arrange the primary nook in the beginning in such a manner that he might snatch the lead from Max Verstappen and Lando Norris paid off, particularly as a result of it allowed him to race in clear air on a observe the place soiled air has a big impression. Nevertheless, the factor that’s notably fascinating to give attention to is the tempo maintained by the Ferrari driver from the very first laps, not solely as a result of it proved to be unmatched by his rivals, but in addition as a result of it contrasts with the method seen within the dash race.
On Saturday, the thought was to handle the tires within the first a part of the Dash race, particularly contemplating the restricted knowledge on potential tire put on at Circuit of the Americas. On Sunday, nonetheless, a totally reverse conduct was seen. Whereas many have been nonetheless anxious in regards to the danger of degradation, given the new temperatures in Austin, from the very first lap Charles Leclerc was pushing laborious on the clock, setting lap occasions that even caught Crimson Bull without warning, as they didn’t count on such an aggressive tempo after the Security Automobile left the observe. In actual fact, all through the primary stint, the Monegasque driver solely twice went over the 1.39 lap time.
The selection to push laborious from the beginning with out worrying an excessive amount of about degradation proved to be right, not solely as a result of Charles Leclerc shortly constructed a security margin that allowed him to handle the stint on the laborious tires, but in addition as a result of ultimately, the degradation turned out to be extraordinarily restricted. The evolution of the observe floor, which was completely new in a number of sections, made tire put on much less extreme than anticipated, a lot so {that a} race initially predicted to require two stops by most groups become a one-stop technique for practically all drivers.
Analyzing the info from the primary a part of the US Grand Prix, it turns into clear that Ferrari leveled out its weaknesses on the only lap, notably from Flip 5 onward. As an alternative of getting to defend and keep away from dropping an excessive amount of time, Ferrari might give attention to an attacking technique for the race, even with Carlos Sainz. Whereas it’s true that Crimson Bull suffered from their post-sprint setup modifications, making the automotive extra understeery to guard the rear axle, which diminished Max Verstappen’s confidence within the automotive, Ferrari’s SF-24 was additionally extraordinarily efficient within the quick sections in comparison with McLaren. The Maranello group was capable of exploit its strengths and make a distinction in traction within the slower sections, corresponding to the beginning of the third sector.
This benefit was particularly evident through the stint on medium tires relatively than the laborious tires, the place the benefit within the sluggish sections decreased, partly as a result of the tougher compound had already proven in Friday’s apply to offer numerous assist on the entrance within the quick corners, however was considerably extra limiting by way of traction.
Two different elements additionally performed an important position: the necessity to enhance elevate and coast to avoid wasting gas (maybe as a result of they didn’t anticipate such a fast-paced race), particularly with Carlos Sainz, and the site visitors attributable to lapped automobiles, which put them within the soiled air. Because of this it was essential to take the lead on the primary lap, as a result of with two automobiles forward, even with a stronger tempo, the chance was getting caught in soiled air and struggling overheating in some important sections, forcing the group to resort to an undercut to maneuver up the ranks. This was additionally seen with Sainz, the place Ferrari’s engineers made a superb name relating to the (non-existent) degradation and attacked Max Verstappen on the pit cease: operating in clear air allowed them to increase the stint with each automobiles and handle the race till the tip.
Whereas the one-two end got here at an important second within the 2024 Method 1 season, in addition to in a key section of this automotive’s improvement, Ferrari group principal Frederic Vasseur rightly needs to maintain a low profile, realizing that with such shut gaps, the grid might change from one race to a different. Nevertheless, the efficiency in Austin offers a lift of confidence to hold into the ultimate a part of the championship, forward of the Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix.
— see video above —
Oct 23, 2024
Purchase official Ferrari F1 merchandise!
Let different Scuderia Followers find out about us
