The winter rumors predicted a season dominated by Crimson Bull, albeit much less decisively than what was seen from August 2022 onward. As a substitute, on the daybreak of the ultimate week of Formulation 1, McLaren and Ferrari can be contending for the Constructors’ Championship due to technical enhancements, however not solely that, from these two giants of the premier class of motorsport. Ranging from Miami, the MCL38 has undoubtedly been the perfect automotive within the subject, permitting Andrea Stella’s group to achieve 158 factors over Crimson Bull and 76 over Ferrari for the reason that Miami race. Nonetheless, numerous rookie errors by the complete group, beginning with the drivers, have stored the Constructors’ Championship open. Ferrari has had the perfect automotive just a few occasions (Melbourne, Monaco, Baku, Austin), however the group’s development has allowed them to often maximize their factors and stay within the battle for a title in race quantity 24, a milestone to not be underestimated.
Ferrari: the season wasn’t excellent, however execution and lineup made the distinction in comparison with McLaren
The successor to the SF-23 has solved lots of its predecessor’s points, beginning with considerably improved tire administration and a transparent enhance in aerodynamic downforce (particularly on the entrance) in comparison with what the 2023 automotive provided. Nonetheless, the issues within the 676 mission weren’t absent, beginning with extra manageable ones like the dearth of aerodynamic effectivity, which is now one of many strengths of the SF-24, and transferring to issues—resembling difficulties on single laps and in high-speed corners—that also have an effect on the automotive’s efficiency. Even operationally, it can’t be known as an ideal season: the event error in Barcelona got here in the course of the busiest a part of the calendar and price the group six races because the fourth total power.
The “blackout” weekend in Montreal and the errors in Baku are doubtless what is going to price Maranello the seventeenth title within the historical past of the Prancing Horse, however the development all year long has been vital and is a vital issue to not be ignored, even when McLaren ought to end forward. Particularly, in comparison with McLaren and Crimson Bull, which statistically had the second-best automotive of the season, the lineup made the distinction: Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz loved the perfect seasons of their respective careers and have been the perfect on the grid alongside the Hamilton-Russell duo. Carlos Sainz, particularly, confirmed a transparent step ahead in single-lap efficiency; regardless of qualifying struggles with tire warm-up, Leclerc proved to be an entire driver, making the distinction towards the Spaniard particularly on Sundays and constructing a spot of just about 70 factors over his teammate.
Ferrari heads to Abu Dhabi with extra optimism, however McLaren stays the favourite at Yas Marina
Ferrari arrives within the United Arab Emirates aiming for a one-two end and a podium with out McLaren to clinch the title. Nonetheless, even setting apart the 21-point hole, the Abu Dhabi weekend is not going to be simple. At Losail, there was a tempo distinction of about three-tenths between McLaren and Ferrari, primarily in lengthy sweeping corners, with Crimson Bull slotting in between as a result of monitor’s favorable traits. From this angle, a extra direct battle is predicted between the MCL38 and SF-24 at Abu Dhabi, with the RB20 and W15 probably within the combine if situations align of their favor. Ferrari must determine whether or not to take the chance of utilizing the ex-experimental flooring on Leclerc’s automotive, as in Losail, or follow the bottom SF-24, which ought to nonetheless be aggressive given the format and traits of the Yas Marina Circuit.
McLaren may make the distinction, notably in turns 1, 5, and 9, that are long-radius corners the place Ferrari might want to defend. In medium-speed corners, the 2 groups are anticipated to be neck and neck, whereas Ferrari may leverage its strengths in traction, straight-line velocity, and the varied sluggish corners of Abu Dhabi. The traits of the monitor ought to favor the SF-24 extra, partly as a result of low-grip asphalt, which has typically troubled the MCL38, notably its entrance finish. In accordance with data from Pirelli, there’s additionally a danger of graining, which has often been an ally of the SF-24 all through the season. Moreover, temperatures may decide whether or not and to what extent Crimson Bull and Mercedes are aggressive, probably turning into decisive components within the championship battle. General, very small gaps are anticipated between all 4 groups in each Qualifying, the place Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz might want to decrease losses, and the Race, as defined by F1 professional Andrea Vergani for autoracer.
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