What sort of Ferrari did we see in Jeddah? The identical as at all times can be probably the most correct reply. Actually, this so-called step ahead has been talked about for a month and a half now. And but, regardless of all of the speak that there appears to be a glimmer of sunshine, in actuality darkness and gloomy tones proceed to prevail. The frustration impacts not solely the followers but in addition lingers of their minds.
Ferrari did optimize issues with Charles
Fred Vasseur claims extra may have been achieved, as a result of dropping greater than two and a half tenths in two corners will not be acceptable. That’s precisely what occurred to Ferrari, however the causes are totally different and fairly clear. Fred states that by optimizing efficiency, the hole would have been totally different, however we strongly disagree. Charles Leclerc doesn’t agree both. That’s precisely why he’s disillusioned with Ferrari.
The staff went out with a baseline setup the place the SF-25 labored effectively within the extra technical sectors. Nevertheless, in course adjustments it lacked the mandatory precision — a scenario, as defined in our standard technical evaluation, that led the staff to stiffen the automobile additional. Some enhancements adopted, however as a consequence, grip administration within the slower corners worsened.
The story stays the identical. The notorious brief blanket: wherever you pull it, you expose a weak spot. That’s why there’s no level in speaking about optimization. Automobile quantity 16, in Leclerc’s arms, produced an outstanding lap. As soon as once more, Charles drove past the automobile’s issues. He did it by taking main dangers. The snap in Flip 16 throughout the Q3 flying lap is the proper snapshot of the scenario.
Fred’s flawed and puzzling view
Over a 300-kilometre race, in principle, tyre degradation needs to be a lot decrease than in Bahrain. There could also be some graining points on the entrance tyres, which have a tendency to chill down on the straights — that’s true. Fred Vasseur additionally claims that Ferrari has at all times carried out effectively with a excessive gasoline load. We’re not precisely certain which automobile Fred, at all times cheerful, is referring to.
As a result of if “performing effectively” means not even reaching the rostrum in 4 races, then that claims all of it. In FP2, the lengthy runs had been disrupted as a consequence of Yuki Tsunoda’s crash at Flip 27. Only some laps had been accomplished, which can’t and shouldn’t be a reference. The hole to McLaren was effectively over a second within the two laps put collectively, which suggests the gasoline masses had been considerably totally different.
Furthermore, the Ferrari staff principal claims that in races, the Maranello automobile performs higher than in qualifying. Once more, based mostly on the typical gaps over the primary three races, we don’t see such a giant distinction in race tempo. We’re speaking in regards to the standard 3–4 tenths per lap on common — which, in actual fact, had been generally smaller in qualifying. Once more, we battle to grasp the rationale for these statements.
The Frenchman’s proud stance
“We’re not right here to be three tenths off pole.” Setting apart the truth that the hole was virtually 4 tenths, even the followers don’t attend races to see Ferrari getting crushed by that margin. However followers can solely watch and help. Those that even have the ability to vary issues and make a distinction are those inside the staff. They usually should act quick.
Fred Vasseur has a sense — a hunch that factors to the lack to place all the things collectively. However nothing adjustments, Fred. It’s at all times the identical story. With this automobile, there merely wasn’t extra to be achieved. Charles’ phrases are so clear that they categorically contradict Fred Vasseur’s considering. Then we transfer on to the supposed tyre administration talked about earlier. In response to Ferrari’s boss, all the things will depend upon that.
True: this yr greater than ever, tyres are enjoying a key function in efficiency. However in the long run, assuming equal ability in managing them, the sooner automobile will at all times come out on high. And with all due respect to the previous Alfa Romeo boss, we strongly doubt the SF-25 will present higher tempo than McLaren, Crimson Bull or Mercedes. We’d be joyful to be confirmed incorrect, after all. Joyful Easter to everybody — even to Fred.
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