We analyze the Spanish qualifying session utilizing telemetry information, specializing in the duel between the McLaren drivers and the comparability with Ferrari.
Saturday in Barcelona confirmed expectations, with a dominant McLaren monopolizing the entrance row. Oscar Piastri took pole, benefiting from a slip by Norris on the ultimate lap. Verstappen and Russell completed with the identical time, adopted by Hamilton in P5. On this telemetry evaluation, we dive into the inner battle between the papaya drivers for the highest spot and examine them with Ferrari, observing the place the Scuderia loses floor to the MCL39 throughout Spain qualifying.
Oscar Piastri-Lando Norris: One Mistake Decides Pole
The McLaren drivers’ laps have been nearly an identical. Though they approached the primary braking zone otherwise, Norris carried extra pace into flip 1, whereas Oscar Piastri favored exit with higher traction; by the tip of sector one, Norris led by simply 0.03 seconds.
In turns 4 and 5, Norris initially managed to extend the hole on Oscar Piastri because of a extra aggressive braking fashion. The Englishman delayed his braking barely, gaining treasured time on turn-in and in T4 managed much more pace by exploiting the numerous downforce of his automotive. Nonetheless, this strategy put stress on the traction part: in flip 5, Norris skilled a snap oversteer on exit, clearly seen on the throttle channel. This error not solely value him quick time but in addition compromised his subsequent acceleration. On this part, driver #4 misplaced over two-tenths, considerably lowering his possibilities of securing pole place.
Within the closing a part of the lap, the Australian’s cleaner driving emerged, not like his teammate who gave the impression to be pushing laborious to get better, making the distinction via the gradual corners of the third sector and at T14. This allowed him to realize one other tenth and consolidate pole place.
Ferrari: Paying the Value in Grip and Traction
For the Ferrari vs McLaren comparability, we look at the quickest laps set by Oscar Piastri and Lewis Hamilton, separated by half a second.
Though the delta channel reveals that McLaren progressively beneficial properties on Ferrari ranging from flip 2 all through the lap, a phase-by-phase comparability is critical since not all sections favor the papaya automotive. In braking, Lewis Hamilton prevails, displaying a well-established really feel with the Brembo brake system. The place McLaren excels is primarily in traction: the distinction is evident from the widening hole within the pace channel on nook exits, permitting the papaya drivers to constantly acquire in acceleration zones.
Within the third sector, one other energy of the MCL39 is confirmed: its skill to maintain the tires inside the optimum working window even underneath excessive thermal stress, typical of the Barcelona circuit and particularly with excessive temperatures. This leads to wonderful mechanical grip till the tip of the lap, a distinction clearly seen within the final nook.