A number of days on from the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Scuderia Ferrari HP and the opposite Formulation 1 groups have made the 13,000 kilometre journey to the Persian Gulf, particularly to Qatar for this weekend’s penultimate race of the season, the ultimate Dash occasion of the 12 months.
The Lusail Worldwide Circuit boasts one of the crucial trendy paddocks on the planet, following its rebuild in 2023, though the observe itself, initially conceived for motorbike racing, retains the unique structure. Actually, the inaugural occasion was the 2004 MotoGP, 17 years earlier than the primary Formulation 1 race was held in Qatar. One can inform it was initially designed for two-wheeled racing by wanting on the quick and flowing sequences of corners, which supply the motorbike racers a wide range of traces and overtaking alternatives. The identical can’t be stated for Formulation 1, as this structure is an invite to push flat out, thus lowering the variety of alternatives to cross to simply two factors on the observe. The lap begins with an extended foremost straight resulting in the primary proper hand nook, the place risking an overtaking transfer is on the playing cards. The drivers preserve working at excessive velocity by way of the left-right sequence at turns 2 and three, adopted by two proper handers main into the flip 6 hairpin, one other overtaking alternative. The center sector options extra excessive velocity corners resulting in the ultimate half which includes a additional three quick proper handers, earlier than flip 16 after which comes the start-finish straight the place the DRS can be utilized.
Circumstances in final 12 months’s race have been nearly unattainable resulting from extraordinarily sizzling climate. Nevertheless, this 12 months’s race takes place two months later which means that circumstances might be way more appropriate. The desert local weather signifies that, slightly than rain, it is wind and sand that may trigger issues, provided that sandstorms are fairly frequent right here.
Tyre technique is unquestionably troublesome to handle on the Lusail circuit. Final 12 months, the FIA have been obliged to make it obligatory for the groups to pit each 18 laps due to extreme tyre put on, however that isn’t anticipated to be the case this time. Nonetheless, with overtaking being so troublesome, a two-stop technique would possibly work, mixing it up with the compounds in an effort to make up locations by undercutting or overcutting different vehicles.
Fred Vasseur: The second race on this remaining triple-header of the season see us go from the chilly of the desert round Las Vegas, the place we diminished the hole to McLaren within the championship to 24 factors, to the a lot hotter local weather of Lusail. Other than the change in temperature, the tracks themselves couldn’t be extra completely different, as we go from one with proper angle turns and lengthy straights to now race on a observe with many excessive velocity corners, which on paper does not play to our strengths. The Qatar GP is the final Dash weekend of the 12 months which, as at all times means the work the groups perform again at base takes on better significance than typical, as there is just one free follow session. There are 59 factors up for grabs, however this is not the time to begin doing the maths. All we will do is execute every little thing completely to make sure that Charles and Carlos can squeeze each final drop of efficiency out of the SF-24. We have now seen, particularly in latest races, that Formulation 1 as an entire is working at a really excessive degree proper now, with the slightest element typically making the distinction, turning the accepted established order on its head. It is time for one final push over these subsequent two weekends and our drivers, engineers and everybody within the group, each on the observe and in Maranello are prepared to present it our greatest shot!
Ferrari in Qatar
GP contested: 2Debut: 2021 (C. Sainz seventh; C. Leclerc eighth)Wins: 0Pole positions: 0Fastest laps: 0Podiums: 0
Three Questions To Fabio Bellosi – Car Meeting Supervisor
What challenges does the Qatar observe throw up for the mechanical elements of the automobile? Fabio Bellosi: This race is extraordinarily powerful due to the observe traits and because of the extraordinarily sizzling circumstances, typical of a desert local weather. Subsequently, every little thing referring to cooling, for engine and brakes, is essential and must be managed proper all the way down to the smallest element. The Lusail observe can also be difficult from a structural perspective due to the hundreds imposed on the automobile on observe, on the chassis and by way of tyre administration.
From a bodily perspective, what are probably the most demanding elements of the final two races of the season within the Persian Gulf and the way has the group organised itself to cope with them? FB: For these remaining two races it’s critical to take care of focus as a result of by the tip of the season it is easy to lose psychological focus. The physique has to cope with a big time distinction and we go from very chilly circumstances in Las Vegas to excessive warmth in Qatar. Getting sufficient relaxation the place potential and adapting shortly is important to carry out at one’s finest, so logistically, we’re organised so that every one group members can benefit from the primary days of the week to search out time to take issues simple for a second.
What’s it like representing Scuderia Ferrari HP whereas travelling all over the world? FB: Nicely, there’s undoubtedly a sense that it is an important honour and there is a sense of delight, however it is usually an actual accountability representing such a prestigious marque and everybody who works so laborious for this group. We’re ambassadors for the marque and are extremely pleased with that.
Information & Figures
75. The size in kilometres of Doha’s metro, the longest driverless system on the planet. The superior design of its 110 trains makes it distinctive. With three traces – purple, inexperienced and gold – it was opened in 2019.
86.7. Qatar’s safety index, out of 100 in response to the newest (2023) Numbeo Crime Index, which makes it the most secure nation on the planet. The United Arab Emirates is second on this particular desk.
97. The boats obtainable for brief journeys alongside the Doha Corniche. These boats are well-known for his or her cultural significance, in addition to affording nice views of town skyline. They vary from conventional picket craft to luxurious non-public yachts and speedboats, in addition to water taxis that take clients to locations resembling The Pearl-Qatar and 974 Seashore. Probably the most interesting are the big picket boats, decked out with a number of mild, loud music, with vibrant cushions throughout their picket benches.
103. The peak in metres of the best level in Qatar, Qurain Abu al-Bawl. The Gulf state is the second flattest on the planet behind the Maldives, whose highest level is the 5 metre excessive Mount Villingili on the Addu atoll. In third place is Denmark, with the 171 metre tall Mount Mollehoj.
1000+. The approximate variety of outlets in Doha’s Souq Waqif. It is a bustling conventional market set in a labyrinth of alleys, whose outlets supply a bewildering vary of spices, materials, handicrafts, jewelry, perfumes and souvenirs. In addition to the outlets, the souq is residence to quite a few eating places, cafes and distinctive sights such because the Falcon Souq, devoted to falconry, and the Artwork Middle artwork gallery, making it an necessary cultural and business hub.
