Scuderia Ferrari is competing for the F1 Constructors’ Championship towards McLaren. The aggressive setting is Abu Dhabi, Yas Marina, the place the ultimate spherical of the 2024 Method 1 championship will happen. The observe is exclusive, that includes varied sorts of corners mixed with two high-speed sections separated by a chicane. The observe floor just isn’t very abrasive, however excessive temperatures power groups to handle tires within the third sector. An ideal aero-mechanical compromise might be wanted, as at all times, to ship the perfect efficiency. Ferrari should win and hope for assist from the Woking crew.
Purple Bull, nonetheless, led by Max Verstappen, might discover nice efficiency and be part of the combat. Mercedes additionally can’t be dominated out of rivalry, as regardless of preferring cooler circumstances, the W15 has confirmed able to being aggressive, particularly with George Russell. It is going to even be Lewis Hamilton‘s final race with the Brackley crew earlier than shifting to Ferrari, giving the Briton further motivation to go away followers with a memorable impression. In brief, there are many causes for an thrilling F1 weekend.
For the ultimate occasion of the season, Method 1 groups arrive with exact aerodynamic decisions aimed toward discovering a fragile stability between effectivity and dealing with. These are key parts on a observe that includes medium-speed corners and the necessity for prime mechanical grip. Purple Bull stands out for testing two totally different rear wing specs, as noticed in images taken on Thursday by varied journalists within the Yas Marina pitlane. Sergio Perez’s automobile is provided with the medium-load wing used on the Baku metropolis circuit in Azerbaijan. Its principal profile is much less pronounced, whereas Max Verstappen‘s automobile options the higher-load model beforehand seen in the course of the season on the British Grand Prix in Silverstone. Each wings embrace a nolder on the trailing edge. This method seems to replicate the objective of reaching a transparent compromise: a extra rearward stability useful in medium-speed corners whereas addressing latest points, reminiscent of these encountered in Qatar and Las Vegas.
Nonetheless, growing rear load to enhance stability on the RB20 might compromise prime speeds. The optimum alternative stays to be seen. Ferrari has chosen a medium-load wing, additionally used on the Silverstone circuit, aiming to maximise prime speeds with out sacrificing grip. This method aligns with final season’s technique. Notably, in 2023, the Italian crew adopted the same method, as seen right now.
Nonetheless, the present model of the wing incorporates a extra pronounced spoon profile, aiming to take advantage of a perfect setup window and, consequently, present the Maranello automobile with essentially the most secure total stability attainable. Ferrari is in search of a greater reference to the entrance finish of its automobile to ship a stability that satisfies each drivers. On automobile quantity 16, the “outdated” flooring is presently put in, relatively than the one launched in Las Vegas.
McLaren additionally arrives with a twin array of aerodynamic choices. The ultimate alternative of the historic British crew will largely rely upon the information collected on observe, mixed with suggestions from the drivers, because the sensitivity of the circuit requires correct validation of the simulations. One of many obtainable specs is the Barcelona model, that includes a really pronounced spoon profile and better downforce, whereas the opposite, launched in Austin, generates medium downforce. The problem might be to seek out the stability that most accurately fits the drivers.
That is undoubtedly an important transfer to arrange as successfully as attainable for the ultimate championship problem and deal with the medium-speed corners effectively. Abu Dhabi is a observe that’s notably delicate to effectivity. The crew will check two specs, because the optimum downforce degree can’t ideally be achieved with both wing alone. Consequently, the engineers should be very shrewd in figuring out which of the 2 variations will higher go well with the MCL38, then full the setup by appropriately adjusting the trip heights and beam-wing angles.
Lastly, Mercedes depends on a medium-load spoon wing. That is additionally a model already examined efficiently in Canada, Barcelona, and Austria. A configuration that has demonstrated good stability and will present a possible benefit in a context the place discovering the optimum setup might be fairly useful for delivering a convincing efficiency. The selection of configurations by the assorted F1 groups highlights a stability between conservative and experimental approaches, all aimed toward maximizing the potential of their vehicles in a decisive weekend.
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