The 2024 Method 1 marketing campaign has showcased an unprecedented closeness throughout the grid, with each group striving to seek out even the smallest benefit. This intense competitors has pushed innovation and scrutiny alike, as rival groups watch one another’s each transfer.
One main improvement got here after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix when McLaren confronted accusations of deploying a “double DRS” rear wing design, prompting the group to make modifications. Purple Bull additionally raised considerations over McLaren’s brake covers, resulting in a rule change from the FIA affecting brake elements—an adjustment that coincided with a slight dip in Purple Bull’s personal efficiency.
Because the competitors intensifies, each group has prioritized each the enhancement of their very own autos and shut surveillance of their opponents.
Italian media outlet *Autosprint* lately reported on incidents from the São Paulo Grand Prix, highlighting an accusation from Purple Bull that McLaren had allegedly used a tactic involving water injection into their tires—a technique Purple Bull believes McLaren might have inherited from former Purple Bull workers now inside McLaren’s ranks. Injecting water into tires is prohibited in F1, and to this point, no proof suggests McLaren or Ferrari have engaged in such practices. Nevertheless, Ferrari additionally discovered itself entangled in comparable accusations of utilizing this tactic.
Through the São Paulo Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc narrowly missed the rostrum, whereas Carlos Sainz confronted mishaps throughout qualifying and the race. Ferrari stays locked in a fierce Constructors’ Championship battle with McLaren and Purple Bull, and it’s clear that every one three groups are scrutinizing each other’s each transfer.
In keeping with *Autosprint*, Purple Bull’s group principal Christian Horner initiated discussions across the alleged unlawful tire-cooling system McLaren was suspected of utilizing. The system reportedly includes spraying water contained in the tires via the rim spokes to maintain tire stress steady, thereby decreasing degradation and permitting for extra aggressive, prolonged runs on the identical set of tires. Whereas Horner urged the FIA to analyze, the report talked about “paddock rumors” suggesting that Ferrari may additionally have employed this technique, though no concrete proof of its use by any group has been discovered.
Purple Bull is aware of this technique, having developed the same cooling system between 2016 and 2018. They think that former workers, now working with different groups, might have transferred information of this system, although it has lengthy been banned by the FIA. The system provides a theoretical benefit, however proving it’s getting used stays a major problem.
In the meantime, Ferrari is already trying ahead to the 2025 Method 1 marketing campaign, setting their sights on a stronger Constructors’ Championship marketing campaign. In 2024, Ferrari constantly contended for podiums and occasional race wins, although they’ve but to dominate the sphere. Leclerc’s win in Monaco owed a lot to his very good qualifying efficiency, whereas a strategic misstep by McLaren allowed him to grab victory at Monza. Ferrari additionally got here near securing a one-two end in Mexico Metropolis, although McLaren’s Lando Norris in the end had the tempo to prevail, leaving Ferrari to acknowledge McLaren’s title probabilities this season.
Nonetheless, Ferrari has each motive to be optimistic, particularly with the arrival of Lewis Hamilton in 2025 to exchange Carlos Sainz. The Maranello group is assured that pairing Lewis Hamilton with Charles Leclerc will give them one of many strongest lineups on the grid. Nevertheless, questions stay round Hamilton’s type, as his qualifying performances towards teammate George Russell this season recommend he might face extra challenges on the Italian facet than anticipated.
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