Scuderia Ferrari has performed quite a lot of work on the simulator. In Method 1, each element counts to make a distinction, particularly on a technical monitor just like the 4.94-kilometre Marina Bay Avenue Circuit. The primary setup correction made yesterday labored. The shortage of rotation disappeared, giving approach to slight oversteer on the exit. Charles Leclerc confirmed ability in managing the SF-24, whereas his Maranello teammate struggled extra. A small brake problem, which solely occurred within the second half of FP2, additionally mentally blocked the Spaniard, affecting his confidence.
Can the Marina Bay model of Ferrari battle for pole place and consequently for the win? It’s not straightforward to reply. We are able to say that the possibilities are there as a result of the potential to beat the tremendous McLaren appears current. Furthermore, on the slender streets of the Asian circuit, the drivers’ expertise can clearly improve the success fee. One of the best drivers will have the ability to exploit each inch of the monitor to go sooner, brushing the partitions. The stability of the Ferrari is excellent however nonetheless must make the ultimate step.
Ferrari determined to make some tweaks to the suspension system. In accordance with simulations, this transfer ought to present extra efficiency to each vehicles, giving Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz a concrete probability to battle on the high. Nonetheless, will probably be essential to keep away from taking a deceptive path with the setup. We are saying this as a result of it wouldn’t be the primary time it occurs, a situation that will make the automotive lose its right working level, forcing a return to the earlier setup with out enhancing in comparison with yesterday. The Maranello staff, it appears, is assured in what they’re doing.
For now, let’s take an in depth take a look at how occasions unfolded for the 2 Ferrari drivers within the ultimate free apply session for the Singapore Grand Prix, in circumstances that have been very totally different from these which groups and drivers will encounter within the qualifying session later immediately.
The same old checks on the Italian vehicles have simply been accomplished: energy unit, braking system, hybrid system, and transmission. Every thing appears to be working completely. The brand new entrance wing has been accepted and can once more be showcased immediately on the winding Marina Bay circuit. Earlier than we start, let’s check out the climate: air temperature at 30.5°C, monitor temperature at 37.2°C. Humidity is 77%, with a wind pace of 0.5 km/h from the northwest. Every thing is prepared for the monitor session. The Ferrari drivers are aboard their SF-24 vehicles, ready for the inexperienced flag.
The mechanics sign the Ferrari drivers to go away the pit lane. For this primary run of the third free apply session, each SF-24 vehicles are fitted with a set of yellow-banded Pirelli tires. It must be famous that final night time’s heavy downpour made the monitor inexperienced once more. Ferrari race engineers Riccardo Adami and Bryan Bozzi remind the drivers of the FP2 references with the Medium tires, that are essential for understanding the monitor circumstances at this second. The tires are warmed up, after which they swap to push mode for the primary flying lap, testing the monitor with out pushing too laborious.
Throughout the cooling lap for the tires, the same old recommendation is available in to optimize dealing with. After the one, very sluggish cool-down lap, it’s again to enterprise. Carlos Sainz is compelled to right the automotive in sector 2 and almost crashes into the wall. Fortuitously, the Spaniard managed to regulate the SF-24 in the course of the nook when the rear stepped out. In distinction, Charles Leclerc accomplished the lap with out too many points. After two laps to check the automotive, they now swap to Engine Mode 1 for a extra correct evaluation of the Italian automotive.
We’re ready for this try to speak about stability. Carlos Sainz manages to discover a balanced lap with no corrections on the steering wheel. A clear lap, in brief. In the meantime, Charles Leclerc, maybe as a result of he tried to push too laborious, determined to raise within the second sector. He did this as a result of his driving wasn’t clear. We are able to say the Ferrari’s stability is great. Carlos Sainz returns to the pits whereas his Maranello teammate stays on monitor for one more push lap, taking the highest spot on the leaderboard.
So as to add extra particulars, it appears the setup tweaks have additional balanced the Italian vehicles. Excellent news, then. Charles Leclerc is sort of glad, as you’ll be able to inform from the tone of his radio communications. Carlos Sainz, however, nonetheless wants to achieve confidence with the SF-24. In actual fact, the Spaniard handed by way of the pits for a setup adjustment, satisfied he may enhance issues. And certainly, his efficiency improved, following carefully behind his teammate, nonetheless utilizing the worn yellow-banded tires. He stays on monitor for one more two laps.
Riccardo Adami asks him to finish a lap with most energy from the inner combustion engine, with out utilizing the DRS system. The aim is evident: to check the Ferrari’s efficiency with out assistance from the rear wing to evaluate the automotive’s aerodynamic effectivity. An attention-grabbing data-gathering train to grasp the SF-24’s drag worth. In the meantime, Charles is again on the monitor, nonetheless with the yellow-banded Pirellis. The setup refinement work continues earlier than switching to the Comfortable tires for additional grip.
Over the past quarter-hour of the third free apply session for the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix, the historic Ferrari staff was prepared to check the SF-24’s capabilities on the red-banded Pirelli tires. The objective was to realize an ideal warm-up cycle with a purpose to entry the utmost grip these tires can provide. The tire warm-up course of was dealt with fastidiously, utilizing varied settings and particular racing strains to inject power into the tire carcass. Then, earlier than the final nook, they switched to push mode earlier than going full throttle.
Carlos Sainz managed a reasonably clear lap, although he encountered quite a lot of visitors throughout his try. The Spaniard wasn’t comfortable together with his efficiency, satisfied he may have performed a lot better. In the meantime, Charles Leclerc lifted in Flip 1 as he exceeded monitor limits. The Monegasque driver launched one other lap afterward however encountered visitors in sector 1, which disturbed him barely. Carlos Sainz returned to the pits, adopted by his teammate. On the in-lap, the Monegasque reported a normal lack of grip. There wasn’t sufficient time for one more adjustment, so after a fast pit cease, it was again on monitor.
There was quite a lot of chatter on the radio between the engineers and drivers, making an attempt to grasp what wasn’t working. It appears the problem was primarily associated to tire activation, which didn’t work as anticipated. Within the second try, issues didn’t enhance. There was a normal lack of grip throughout all the monitor. Not a great signal simply hours earlier than qualifying, the place grip might be important for the battle on the high. Ferrari wants to determine the best way to enhance the efficiency on the Comfortable tires and generate the correct quantity of power into the tire. The collected knowledge might be helpful for this.
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