The 20th qualifying session of the 2024 Method 1 came about earlier right now on the 4.304-kilometre Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico Metropolis. Regardless of a strong first day of observe motion in Mexico Metropolis, Ferrari didn’t arrive in addition to anticipated. The principle motive is one: the chosen aero-mechanical compromise was efficient however didn’t appear sufficient to compete head-to-head with the highly effective McLaren automobiles primarily based on what was seen within the last free apply session. The Woking staff has certainly made a major efficiency leap between Friday and the Mexican Saturday. It’s a giant step ahead, as they actually made a distinction as quickly as they began pushing arduous within the second sector, which options speedy succession corners. The identical goes for Max Verstappen’s Crimson Bull.
The “fundamental loss” for the Ferrari turns into evident within the second sector. To be extra exact, we’re speaking concerning the part of the observe from nook 7 to nook 11. A sure instability prevents the 2 SF-24 automobiles from acting at their greatest with the throttle absolutely down. On common, there may be a few 5 kilometers per hour distinction that, when it comes to lap instances, creates a niche of about three-tenths of a second. Ferrari might take into account limiting the harm via higher dealing with utilizing the tires. Alternatively, they may implement a last-minute change.
A tweak to the suspension setup to attempt to present the all-red F1 automobile’s aerodynamic platform with extra substance. Nonetheless, it is a dangerous change, as if it doesn’t work as deliberate, there wouldn’t be sufficient time to revert as a result of parc fermé laws. Contemplating that within the race, the speeds via any such nook lower to handle the tires, we will perceive this limitation of the Ferrari; maybe the wisest motion would have been to go away the whole lot as is and depend on Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc to optimize efficiency.
Now let’s take an in depth take a look at how occasions unfolded for the Maranello staff within the qualifying session for the Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix:
The Ferrari drivers are of their automobiles. The time to get severe has arrived. Let’s check out the climate situations and the reference plan, the observe floor to be exact: 22.3 levels celsius air temperature, 44 levels celsius observe floor temperature. Humidity at 41%, wind velocity at 1.3 kilometers per hour blowing from the northwest. There’s a sure buzz inside the storage. The Maranello technicians are discussing warm-up technique and efficiency optimization after totally finding out the telemetry. Simply seconds earlier than the inexperienced gentle, the sign comes from the mechanics to start out the engines.
For this primary run of the qualifying session, the 2 Maranello automobiles hit the observe on Pirelli yellow-banded tires. Tires that the Italian staff hadn’t but used up so far. As all the time, the warm-up might be essential to maximise efficiency by accessing the utmost grip supplied by the compounds. Carlos Sainz instantly feels extra snug than his Maranello teammate, which is why he beneficial properties a strong four-tenths. Charles Leclerc’s lap wasn’t good, and he acknowledges it over the radio. The largest distinction is seen within the first sector and the final two corners.
The Ferrari automobiles make a pit cease earlier than returning to the observe. They take two cool-down laps earlier than pushing once more. Throughout this time, there’s an limitless stream of recommendation on the best way to enhance the dealing with of the automobiles. Within the second try, Carlos Sainz suffers from oversteer exiting nook 2, whereas the remainder of the lap is clear. Charles Leclerc doesn’t present any explicit points however is just slower than his teammate. The Ferrari drivers decrease their lap instances after which return to the storage, with the Spaniard being stopped on the scales.
The Italian F1 staff considers the lap instances inadequate, and because of this, they ship the automobiles again onto the observe, this time with model new Tender tires. The Ferrari drivers begin their lap realizing they may carry off if the earlier instances are ok to make the minimize. Charles Leclerc begins very sturdy within the first sector, however is just not exact within the last a part of the observe. In distinction, the Spaniard is extra balanced and beneficial properties two-tenths on his teammate. The issue within the second sector stays, as these notorious three-tenths of efficiency on the McLaren nonetheless loom massive.
Within the second a part of the qualifying session, the standard of the F1 automobiles might be extra obvious. Visitors might be a lesser concern, as a number of drivers have been disrupted within the second sector. It’s not all the time straightforward to let these coming from behind via in that part. Referring again to Q1, we will say that stability appears higher within the quick corners. Nonetheless, pure efficiency is missing, particularly to keep away from the automobiles sliding and shedding grip. Whereas within the first sector, even if the Ferrari may be very sturdy, it “units apart” a smaller acquire in comparison with Friday. Right here we go, it’s observe time once more.
The 2 crimson automobiles go away the pit lane. They achieve this once more on red-banded Pirelli tires, the set used beforehand within the final try of Q1. Plenty of consideration is given to the tire warm-up course of. This intent will primarily serve to extend confidence with the automobile, in anticipation of the second lap that can successfully be the essential time to make the minimize and entry the ultimate a part of the qualifying session. The decision to exit is well-timed, and the SF-24 automobiles begin their lap with out points. Charles Leclerc suffers a slide at nook 9, and though he doesn’t carry off, his lap is ruined.
Carlos Sainz fares higher, managing his lap properly. They now go via the pits to vary tires and attempt to give their all within the subsequent flying try. After a quick pause, the reds return to the Mexican observe floor. The engines of the crimson automobiles roar to life once more. There can’t be any errors within the warm-up for this significant try and advance in what appears to be a extra difficult qualifying than anticipated. On the final nook, they swap to race mode after which go full throttle. These are two good makes an attempt, with the second sector bettering considerably. The work on dealing with pays off. They make the minimize for the ultimate spherical.
Shortly after the Ferrari drivers full their first Q3 laps, Yuki Tsunoda stalls at nook 12. The race management shows the crimson flag to permit the marshals to retrieve the Japanese driver’s automobile and repair the obstacles. Thankfully, McLaren and Crimson Bull have just one driver every. On one facet, Sergio Perez continues to disappoint, and this time Oscar Piastri additionally joins him, eradicated in Q1 as a consequence of rookie errors. This implies the SF-24 automobiles have solely two challengers, particularly Max Verstappen and Lando Norris. It will be good to beat at the very least one of many two. The cease is kind of prolonged. Within the meantime, we will say that Ferrari has two new Tender tires to make use of.
The engines roar to life. The 2 Maranello automobiles hit the observe on new red-banded tires. The outlap appears to be like fairly aggressive, attempting to realize most grip by the primary nook of the Central American circuit. Carlos Sainz launches first, adopted intently by Charles Leclerc only a few seconds later. Sadly, the Spaniard makes a slight mistake exiting nook 2, as his lap is wanting superb. The identical can’t be stated for the Monegasque, who loses floor in corners 3, 6, and 12 in comparison with his teammate. Including this hole gathered throughout the lap, he finds himself three and a half tenths behind.
The reds return to the pits. The drivers are requested a few doable adjustment to the entrance load, which isn’t obligatory for both of them. The second to present their all has arrived. Every thing is at stake within the final lap. Charles Leclerc must push more durable and attempt to at the very least keep within the slipstream of his teammate’s time. Carlos Sainz is on hearth and lowers his lap time even additional. This time permits him to safe the pole place. It’s actually a masterful efficiency. Sadly for Charles Leclerc, he makes a mistake and is annoyed, struggling instability within the typical second sector of the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico Metropolis. He solely manages the fourth-fastest time, however it’s all to play for on Sunday.
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Oct 27, 2024
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