The 2024 Components 1 marketing campaign has showcased an unprecedented closeness throughout the grid, with each group striving to search out even the smallest benefit. This intense competitors has pushed innovation and scrutiny alike, as rival groups watch one another’s each transfer.
One main growth got here after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix when McLaren confronted accusations of deploying a “double DRS” rear wing design, prompting the group to make modifications. Purple Bull additionally raised considerations over McLaren’s brake covers, resulting in a rule change from the FIA affecting brake parts—an adjustment that coincided with a slight dip in Purple Bull’s personal efficiency.
Because the competitors intensifies, each group has prioritized each the enhancement of their very own autos and shut surveillance of their opponents.
Italian media outlet *Autosprint* just lately reported on incidents from the São Paulo Grand Prix, highlighting an accusation from Purple Bull that McLaren had allegedly used a tactic involving water injection into their tires—a technique Purple Bull believes McLaren might have inherited from former Purple Bull workers now inside McLaren’s ranks. Injecting water into tires is prohibited in F1, and to date, no proof suggests McLaren or Ferrari have engaged in such practices. Nonetheless, Ferrari additionally discovered itself entangled in comparable accusations of utilizing this tactic.
Through the São Paulo Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc narrowly missed the rostrum, whereas Carlos Sainz confronted mishaps throughout qualifying and the race. Ferrari stays locked in a fierce Constructors’ Championship battle with McLaren and Purple Bull, and it’s clear that every one three groups are scrutinizing each other’s each transfer.
In line with *Autosprint*, Purple Bull’s group principal Christian Horner initiated discussions across the alleged unlawful tire-cooling system McLaren was suspected of utilizing. The system reportedly entails spraying water contained in the tires by way of the rim spokes to maintain tire strain steady, thereby lowering degradation and permitting for extra aggressive, prolonged runs on the identical set of tires. Whereas Horner urged the FIA to analyze, the report talked about “paddock rumors” suggesting that Ferrari may also have employed this method, though no concrete proof of its use by any group has been discovered.
Purple Bull is accustomed to this technique, having developed an analogous cooling system between 2016 and 2018. They believe that former workers, now working with different groups, might have transferred data of this method, although it has lengthy been banned by the FIA. The system provides a theoretical benefit, however proving it’s getting used stays a big problem.
In the meantime, Ferrari is already wanting ahead to the 2025 Components 1 marketing campaign, setting their sights on a stronger Constructors’ Championship marketing campaign. In 2024, Ferrari constantly contended for podiums and occasional race wins, although they’ve but to dominate the sector. Leclerc’s win in Monaco owed a lot to his very good qualifying efficiency, whereas a strategic misstep by McLaren allowed him to grab victory at Monza. Ferrari additionally got here near securing a one-two end in Mexico Metropolis, although McLaren’s Lando Norris finally had the tempo to prevail, leaving Ferrari to acknowledge McLaren’s title possibilities this season.
Nonetheless, Ferrari has each cause to be optimistic, particularly with the arrival of Lewis Hamilton in 2025 to switch Carlos Sainz. The Maranello group is assured that pairing Lewis Hamilton with Charles Leclerc will give them one of many strongest lineups on the grid. Nonetheless, questions stay round Hamilton’s type, as his qualifying performances towards teammate George Russell this season recommend he might face extra challenges on the Italian facet than anticipated.
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