Lewis Hamilton’s arrival at Scuderia Ferrari is definitely the occasion that defines the pre-season of Components 1. It’s an prevalence that each Liberty Media and the Worldwide Federation are winking at, conscious of the affect of this pairing and the visibility it’s going to carry to crucial class of motorsport. Nonetheless, even among the many incurable optimists, there’s a doubt that nobody dares to voice. So, we are going to voice it: is the seven-time Components 1 world champion on the downward slope of his exceptional profession stuffed with achievements?
Will he nonetheless have the ability to return to being the successful driver he was till the 2021 season, at forty years outdated? Is the partnership with Ferrari an excessive try to seek out motivation, now tucked away because of the mediocrity of Mercedes’ current technical tasks? Within the final three years, all numerical indicators have favored his Mercedes teammate. George Russell, ranging from the 2022 Components 1 championship, has secured extra wins, extra pole positions, and in two out of three seasons, he has completed forward of the seven-time world champion within the driver standings.
A superficial observer, primarily based on these info, may solely declare the next: Lewis Hamilton is now a “completed” driver who sought a “retirement” in Maranello to finish his extraordinary profession. In spite of everything, as Sebastian Vettel stated in a well-known interview, deep down, everyone seems to be a fan of Ferrari. A advertising operation positive to succeed, however with many questions on the potential of seeing the “prime” model of the British driver once more. To transcend the statistical information, we performed an evaluation.
Probably the most dependable efficiency indices are two: lap velocity and race tempo. As for Saturday, the partial rating of 19 to five in opposition to George Russell leaves little room for excuses. However for race tempo, the scenario could be very totally different. Discounting three rounds through which the 2 Silver Arrows didn’t make it to the checkered flag, it’s evident that Lewis Hamilton’ tempo was superior to George Russell’s 12 occasions out of 21. This can be a very shocking reality, demonstrating Lewis Hamilton’s capability to “hammer” over the 300 kilometer distance as in one of the best phases of his astonishing profession.
This can be a information level that holds a better qualitative worth than anticipated as a result of the British driver nearly all the time began behind his fellow countryman and, in lots of circumstances, acquired entangled in midfield battles that have been very detrimental to his race technique. Simply consider the Las Vegas Grand Prix, the place the brand new Ferrari driver was clearly the quickest, however his grid place didn’t permit him to transcend second place, proper behind his youthful teammate. There’s an attention-grabbing reality right here, considering of the Prancing Horse on this regard.
By some unusual coincidence, contemplating the 2024 Components 1 season marketing campaign for Ferrari, there’s a widespread future. Each Lewis Hamilton and the Maranello group’s future automobile will intention to enhance efficiency on the one lap. Final season, Charles Leclerc, probably the greatest qualifiers within the historical past of the highest class, solely secured three pole positions. This regardless of the SF-24 being, total, an excellent automobile.
We’re speaking a couple of clear consequence stemming from the exact intent of the technicians and engineers at Maranello, who, throughout the design section, determined to create a Components 1 automobile extra centered on efficiency throughout the race, with an eye fixed on the mere administration of tires over the 300 kilometer distance. One of many points that has all the time plagued Italian vehicles lately. On this regard, we are able to say that this consequence has largely been achieved by the Maranello group, regardless of the “troubled” growth plan that successfully affected a doubtlessly successful season.
Nonetheless, to be extra particular, in qualifying, tire preparation was usually complicated, compromising the grid place of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz. The Singapore Grand Prix weekend on the Marina Bay Avenue Circuit is enlightening on this sense. For that reason, the Ferrari challenge 677 was produced to placed on observe a automobile able to delivering most efficiency even on a single lap, serving to Lewis Hamilton regain the boldness he misplaced within the final three years, throughout which he secured just one pole place on the 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix. As for the races, as talked about, there will probably be no efficiency points.
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