Scuderia Ferrari has achieved plenty of work on the simulator. In Method 1, each element counts to make a distinction, particularly on a technical observe just like the 4.94-kilometre Marina Bay Road Circuit. The primary setup correction made yesterday labored. The shortage of rotation disappeared, giving approach to slight oversteer on the exit. Charles Leclerc confirmed ability in managing the SF-24, whereas his Maranello teammate struggled extra. A small brake problem, which solely occurred within the second half of FP2, additionally mentally blocked the Spaniard, affecting his confidence.
Can the Marina Bay model of Ferrari struggle for pole place and consequently for the win? It’s not simple to reply. We are able to say that the possibilities are there as a result of the potential to beat the tremendous McLaren appears current. Furthermore, on the slender streets of the Asian circuit, the drivers’ expertise can clearly enhance the success price. The very best drivers will be capable of exploit each inch of the observe to go sooner, brushing the partitions. The stability of the Ferrari is superb however nonetheless must make the ultimate step.
Ferrari determined to make some tweaks to the suspension system. In response to simulations, this transfer ought to present extra efficiency to each vehicles, giving Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz a concrete likelihood to struggle on the prime. Nevertheless, will probably be essential to keep away from taking a deceptive path with the setup. We are saying this as a result of it wouldn’t be the primary time it occurs, a situation that will make the automotive lose its right working level, forcing a return to the earlier setup with out enhancing in comparison with yesterday. The Maranello group, it appears, is assured in what they’re doing.
For now, let’s take an in depth take a look at how occasions unfolded for the 2 Ferrari drivers within the remaining free follow session for the Singapore Grand Prix, in situations that had been very completely different from these which groups and drivers will encounter within the qualifying session later right this moment.
The standard checks on the Italian vehicles have simply been accomplished: energy unit, braking system, hybrid system, and transmission. All the pieces appears to be working completely. The brand new entrance wing has been accredited and can once more be showcased right this moment on the winding Marina Bay circuit. Earlier than we start, let’s check out the climate: air temperature at 30.5°C, observe temperature at 37.2°C. Humidity is 77%, with a wind velocity of 0.5 km/h from the northwest. All the pieces is prepared for the observe session. The Ferrari drivers are aboard their SF-24 vehicles, ready for the inexperienced flag.
The mechanics sign the Ferrari drivers to go away the pit lane. For this primary run of the third free follow session, each SF-24 vehicles are fitted with a set of yellow-banded Pirelli tires. It needs to be famous that final evening’s heavy downpour made the observe inexperienced once more. Ferrari race engineers Riccardo Adami and Bryan Bozzi remind the drivers of the FP2 references with the Medium tires, that are essential for understanding the observe situations at this second. The tires are warmed up, after which they swap to push mode for the primary flying lap, testing the observe with out pushing too onerous.
Throughout the cooling lap for the tires, the standard recommendation is available in to optimize dealing with. After the only, very sluggish cool-down lap, it’s again to enterprise. Carlos Sainz is pressured to right the automotive in sector 2 and practically crashes into the wall. Thankfully, the Spaniard managed to manage the SF-24 in the course of the nook when the rear stepped out. In distinction, Charles Leclerc accomplished the lap with out too many points. After two laps to check the automotive, they now swap to Engine Mode 1 for a extra correct evaluation of the Italian automotive.
We’re ready for this try to speak about stability. Carlos Sainz manages to discover a balanced lap with no corrections on the steering wheel. A clear lap, in brief. In the meantime, Charles Leclerc, maybe as a result of he tried to push too onerous, determined to carry within the second sector. He did this as a result of his driving wasn’t clear. We are able to say the Ferrari’s stability is superb. Carlos Sainz returns to the pits whereas his Maranello teammate stays on observe for an additional push lap, taking the highest spot on the leaderboard.
So as to add extra particulars, it appears the setup tweaks have additional balanced the Italian vehicles. Excellent news, then. Charles Leclerc is kind of glad, as you possibly can inform from the tone of his radio communications. Carlos Sainz, alternatively, nonetheless wants to realize confidence with the SF-24. In truth, the Spaniard handed via the pits for a setup adjustment, satisfied he may enhance issues. And certainly, his efficiency improved, following carefully behind his teammate, nonetheless utilizing the worn yellow-banded tires. He stays on observe for an additional two laps.
Riccardo Adami asks him to finish a lap with most energy from the inner combustion engine, with out utilizing the DRS system. The aim is obvious: to check the Ferrari’s efficiency with out assistance from the rear wing to evaluate the automotive’s aerodynamic effectivity. An fascinating data-gathering train to grasp the SF-24’s drag worth. In the meantime, Charles is again on the observe, nonetheless with the yellow-banded Pirellis. The setup refinement work continues earlier than switching to the Tender tires for further grip.
Over the past quarter-hour of the third free follow session for the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix, the historic Ferrari group was prepared to check the SF-24’s capabilities on the red-banded Pirelli tires. The aim was to attain an ideal warm-up cycle in an effort to entry the utmost grip these tires can supply. The tire warm-up course of was dealt with fastidiously, utilizing varied settings and particular racing strains to inject power into the tire carcass. Then, earlier than the final nook, they switched to push mode earlier than going full throttle.
Carlos Sainz managed a reasonably clear lap, although he encountered plenty of site visitors throughout his try. The Spaniard wasn’t completely satisfied together with his efficiency, satisfied he may have achieved significantly better. In the meantime, Charles Leclerc lifted in Flip 1 as he exceeded observe limits. The Monegasque driver launched one other lap afterward however encountered site visitors in sector 1, which disturbed him barely. Carlos Sainz returned to the pits, adopted by his teammate. On the in-lap, the Monegasque reported a basic lack of grip. There wasn’t sufficient time for an additional adjustment, so after a fast pit cease, it was again on observe.
There was plenty of chatter on the radio between the engineers and drivers, making an attempt to grasp what wasn’t working. It appears the difficulty was primarily associated to tire activation, which didn’t work as anticipated. Within the second try, issues didn’t enhance. There was a basic lack of grip throughout the whole observe. Not a great signal simply hours earlier than qualifying, the place grip might be important for the struggle on the prime. Ferrari wants to determine find out how to enhance the efficiency on the Tender tires and generate the correct amount of power into the tire. The collected knowledge might be helpful for this.
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