Scuderia Ferrari has finished a variety of work on the simulator. In System 1, each element counts to make a distinction, particularly on a technical monitor just like the 4.94-kilometre Marina Bay Road Circuit. The primary setup correction made yesterday labored. The shortage of rotation disappeared, giving solution to slight oversteer on the exit. Charles Leclerc confirmed ability in managing the SF-24, whereas his Maranello teammate struggled extra. A small brake subject, which solely occurred within the second half of FP2, additionally mentally blocked the Spaniard, affecting his confidence.
Can the Marina Bay model of Ferrari struggle for pole place and consequently for the win? It’s not straightforward to reply. We are able to say that the probabilities are there as a result of the potential to beat the tremendous McLaren appears current. Furthermore, on the slim streets of the Asian circuit, the drivers’ expertise can clearly enhance the success price. One of the best drivers will be capable to exploit each inch of the monitor to go sooner, brushing the partitions. The stability of the Ferrari is superb 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 likelihood to struggle on the prime. Nonetheless, it will likely 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 state of affairs that may make the automobile lose its appropriate working level, forcing a return to the earlier setup with out enhancing in comparison with yesterday. The Maranello crew, 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 closing free observe session for the Singapore Grand Prix, in circumstances that had been very completely different from these which groups and drivers will encounter within the qualifying session later in the present day.
The same old checks on the Italian vehicles have simply been accomplished: energy unit, braking system, hybrid system, and transmission. All the pieces appears to be working completely. The brand new entrance wing has been authorized and can once more be showcased in the present day 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. All the pieces 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 observe session, each SF-24 vehicles are fitted with a set of yellow-banded Pirelli tires. It needs to 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 exhausting.
In the course of the cooling lap for the tires, the standard recommendation is available in to optimize dealing with. After the only, very sluggish cool-down lap, it’s again to enterprise. Carlos Sainz is compelled to appropriate the automobile in sector 2 and practically crashes into the wall. Luckily, the Spaniard managed to regulate the SF-24 in the midst 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 automobile, they now swap to Engine Mode 1 for a extra correct evaluation of the Italian automobile.
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 exhausting, 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 an additional 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 kind of glad, as you’ll be able to inform from the tone of his radio communications. Carlos Sainz, alternatively, nonetheless wants to achieve confidence with the SF-24. In actual fact, the Spaniard handed via the pits for a setup adjustment, satisfied he might enhance issues. And certainly, his efficiency improved, following intently behind his teammate, nonetheless utilizing the worn yellow-banded tires. He stays on monitor for an additional 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 the help of the rear wing to evaluate the automobile’s aerodynamic effectivity. An attention-grabbing data-gathering train to know 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 Gentle tires for further grip.
Over the last quarter-hour of the third free observe session for the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix, the historic Ferrari crew was prepared to check the SF-24’s capabilities on the red-banded Pirelli tires. The purpose was to attain 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 rigorously, utilizing numerous settings and particular racing traces to inject vitality 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 a variety of site visitors throughout his try. The Spaniard wasn’t blissful together with his efficiency, satisfied he might have finished significantly 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 site 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 common lack of grip. There wasn’t sufficient time for an additional adjustment, so after a fast pit cease, it was again on monitor.
There was a variety of chatter on the radio between the engineers and drivers, attempting to know what wasn’t working. It appears the difficulty was primarily associated to tire activation, which didn’t work as anticipated. Within the second try, issues didn’t enhance. There was a common lack of grip throughout the complete monitor. Not signal simply hours earlier than qualifying, the place grip will likely be important for the struggle on the prime. Ferrari wants to determine how one can enhance the efficiency on the Gentle tires and generate the correct quantity of vitality into the tire. The collected knowledge will likely be helpful for this.
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