For various causes, the final three occasions have seen an underperforming Ferrari, transitioning from the victory in Monaco on an undoubtedly atypical circuit to the position of the fourth drive. Whereas in Canada, it might be assumed that it was an issue of poor setup optimization, primarily as a result of altering observe situations that didn’t permit Ferrari to extract the utmost from the SF-24, the final two races introduced totally different and rather more regarding points.
In Spain, Ferrari launched a brand new aerodynamic package deal aimed toward rising general downforce. Though this certainly introduced enhancements in some areas, different issues emerged, as admitted by the drivers throughout the Austrian weekend, together with the return of bouncing in very quick corners the place stability and assist are essential.
In Barcelona, this challenge was evident in flip 9 and switch 14, the 2 quickest sections of the Catalan observe, however the issue additionally reappeared in Austria, a circuit the place, resulting from its aero-mechanical traits, the phenomenon ought to have had much less impression on efficiency. As a substitute, the bouncing severely restricted the SF-24’s efficiency and compelled the group to make compromises on the setup to attempt to counter the issue.
That is one thing Ferrari is clearly conscious of, particularly the drivers, as such annoying bouncing could cause discomfort within the automotive and, extra importantly, erode the boldness of these within the cockpit. Then again, as quickly as they turned conscious of the issue, the engineers instantly began engaged on easy methods to remedy this annoying phenomenon, significantly as a result of it appeared throughout some of the difficult triple-headers of the season. Within the early races of the 12 months, bouncing had by no means occurred, even on difficult tracks with quick corners, solely to make its look from Barcelona onwards.
This weekend, System 1 will transfer to Silverstone, maybe the circuit with the best variety of high-speed corners. Given the problems that emerged not solely in Barcelona but additionally on the Pink Bull Ring, these parts recommend that the English weekend may be a really robust check for the SF-24.
Silverstone is certainly stuffed with medium-high velocity corners, equivalent to Abbey-Farm, Copse, and Stowe. Nonetheless, then again, there’s additionally the Maggots-Becketts-Chapel sequence the place, though the primary half is usually taken flat out, extreme bouncing may undermine the drivers’ confidence, particularly for organising the second half and navigating Chapel.
In line with Carlos Sainz, nevertheless, Ferrari is working onerous behind the scenes to know easy methods to make the most effective use of this package deal and to make adjustments that permit them to extract extra from the Maranello automotive even in such a posh setting. It shouldn’t be forgotten that there are additionally some medium and low-speed sections, equivalent to Village nook or the ultimate chicane, which implies the automotive can’t be arrange with simply sure traits.
“I see that within the manufacturing unit they’re pushing to the utmost to know the issues we’ve had within the final two weekends and to attempt to convey a package deal to Silverstone that enables us to get higher efficiency in high-speed corners as a result of that’s clearly our weak level,” mentioned the Spanish driver on the finish of the race, emphasizing that the issue will not be solely the bouncing but additionally the pure efficiency in high-speed corners, a difficulty that had already been noticed in different races this season. Firstly of the championship, the truth is, the Ferrari had proven to be missing not solely in comparison with Pink Bull but additionally to McLaren within the quickest corners: a spot already current however then accentuated by the return of bouncing.
“Max was a lot sooner, however not solely Max; Mercedes and McLaren have been additionally a step forward of us in these kinds of corners. And we all know that Silverstone is the king of excessive velocity, so we now have to take a step ahead. Clearly, we wish to be aggressive. And we’ll combat with all our may and attempt to discover every part we will, excuse me, to be extra aggressive there.” – Carlos Sainz identified.
“Within the race, the issue is much less as a result of the velocity in high-speed corners is decrease, so the bouncing is much less. However sure, clearly, you probably have it in qualifying, you must arrange the automotive otherwise for qualifying, and then you definitely in all probability pay the value within the race. It’s not a super state of affairs. It doesn’t make you do effectively in qualifying and doesn’t make you do effectively within the race.”
“Within the final two weekends, we’ve talked loads about bouncing, which exhibits that it’s been a little bit of a difficulty, however I believe there are additionally different issues we have to enhance to not less than beat Mercedes at Silverstone and attempt to shut the hole to McLaren and Pink Bull.” – the Spanish driver concluded forward of the British Grand Prix weekend.
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