The 2024 Method 1 marketing campaign has showcased an unprecedented closeness throughout the grid, with each workforce 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 workforce to make modifications. Crimson 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 Crimson Bull’s personal efficiency.
Because the competitors intensifies, each workforce 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 Crimson Bull that McLaren had allegedly used a tactic involving water injection into their tires—a way Crimson Bull believes McLaren could have inherited from former Crimson Bull workers now inside McLaren’s ranks. Injecting water into tires is prohibited in F1, and thus far, no proof suggests McLaren or Ferrari have engaged in such practices. Nevertheless, Ferrari additionally discovered itself entangled in related 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 Crimson Bull, and it’s clear that each one three groups are scrutinizing each other’s each transfer.
In line with *Autosprint*, Crimson Bull’s workforce 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 secure, thereby decreasing 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 additionally have employed this method, though no concrete proof of its use by any workforce has been discovered.
Crimson Bull is aware of this technique, having developed the same cooling system between 2016 and 2018. They think that former workers, now working with different groups, could have transferred information of this method, although it has lengthy been banned by the FIA. The system affords a theoretical benefit, however proving it’s getting used stays a major problem.
In the meantime, Ferrari is already wanting ahead to the 2025 Method 1 marketing campaign, setting their sights on a stronger Constructors’ Championship marketing campaign. In 2024, Ferrari persistently contended for podiums and occasional race wins, although they’ve but to dominate the sphere. 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 in the end had the tempo to prevail, leaving Ferrari to acknowledge McLaren’s title probabilities this season.
Nonetheless, Ferrari has each motive to be optimistic, particularly with the arrival of Lewis Hamilton in 2025 to exchange Carlos Sainz. The Maranello workforce is assured that pairing Lewis Hamilton with Charles Leclerc will give them one of many strongest lineups on the grid. Nevertheless, questions stay round Hamilton’s kind, as his qualifying performances towards teammate George Russell this season recommend he could face extra challenges on the Italian facet than anticipated.