It’s not but time for relaxation following the Hungarian Grand Prix, as the main target now shifts to Belgium, the 14th spherical of the 2024 Method 1 championship. And sadly the situation appears to be like very difficult for Ferrari. The Maranello staff must attempt to optimize the setup of the SF-24 single-seater by way of a really troublesome compromise. As we all know, the working window of the Ferrari automobile may be very brief, and the Spa-Francorchamps circuit consists of very totally different sections. Because of this, it’s at all times sophisticated to discover a setup that may “cowl” your complete observe. One should due to this fact resolve through which path to go and which sections to concentrate on when making an attempt to realize lap time primarily based on the robust factors and the weaknesses of the automobile. The lap begins with a sluggish downhill nook referred to as “Supply.”
That is adopted by a protracted high-speed part, making the exit essential. Traction have to be maximized. Gaining on entry might be penalizing within the interpretation of the primary sector. Ferrari may be very robust on entry, however we now have seen that additionally it is able to optimizing the exit. Gradual or medium-slow sections like this could not pose a significant drawback. The portion of the observe that follows is pushed flat out as much as Flip 5. In between, we discover the well-known Eau Rouge part, which within the qualifying session is tackled with the throttle absolutely open because the vehicles are very gentle on gasoline.
On this context, the suspension of an F1 automobile undergoes compression, and the ground lowers, minimizing floor clearance. Ferrari should restrict bouncing to make sure this aspect doesn’t turn into penalizing and consequently doesn’t restrict pace. The Prancing Horse should optimize this part and the final one, which are literally the quickest. Final yr, the Italian staff managed to discover a good compromise through the use of a reasonably unloaded wing, the model which was additionally used on the Baku Metropolis Circuit within the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. For 2024, a particular wing launched on the Imola circuit with a low degree of downforce will more than likely be chosen.
For the present traits of the automobile, it’s advisable to maximise efficiency on the straights by way of a extra unloaded setup. Automobiles like Crimson Bull and McLaren can as a substitute concentrate on constructing the lap within the central sector. Certainly, a number of high-speed, wide-radius corners are positioned on this sector. Right here, Ferrari must attempt to comprise losses as soon as once more, considerably like final week in Hungary. The SF-24 has an endemic lack of rear load, and though it manages to discover a quite clear steadiness in these corners, it’s not totally efficient.
A little bit of downforce may additionally be lacking because the rear will are usually unloaded, a side that would additional spotlight Ferrari’s varied limitations. Much less downforce on the rear needs to be compensated by the push generated from the ground. The Maranello engineers, due to this fact, select to stiffen the suspension components, aiming to realize probably the most secure aerodynamic platform potential by reducing the automobile. This transfer leads your complete F1 to work in an unfavorable configuration that limits the steadiness between quick and sluggish corners. An enormous drawback.
Ferrari thus exhibits a sure tendency to oversteer in the course of the nook, whereas dealing with on high-speed curbs just isn’t secure. The lowered floor-to-track floor distance can then set off bouncing, whose unfavourable impact have to be contained. General, the shortage of effectivity shall be felt, because the Maranello technicians won’t be able to load the rear wing a lot. For this reason they’ll attempt to restrict losses within the second sector. It must also be famous that, usually, floor clearance shall be raised, a side that’s not essentially a bonus for Ferrari.
Ferrari would possibly certainly battle much more to search out load derived from the ground. On the 7.004-kilometre Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, we are going to perceive if the current replace with the reshaping of the ground’s “kick” shall be efficient or not. The updates have improved sluggish corners, however vertical load era in quick corners is penalized. The Hungary model of the ground ought to assure extra secure load and fewer sensitivity to top variations. The third sector consists of a single straight resulting in the observe’s remaining chicane. Ferrari can recuperate one thing in braking if it manages to maximise high speeds by avoiding clipping.
The final chicane may be very sluggish the place traction shall be essential. Taking a look at the climate circumstances for the Belgian Grand Prix weekend, we are able to say that cooler temperatures would possibly inhibit Ferrari’s efficiency, as a result of they usually are inclined to put much less vitality into the tire, struggling to take care of the proper working vary. Exactly because of this, on a number of events, we now have seen an SF-24 weak within the opening sector of a lap that loses itself in making ready the compound on cooler observe floor, consequently failing to entry the proper grip all through the lap.
Supply: FUnoanalisitecnica
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