Ferrari as soon as once more encountered difficulties throughout a System 1 qualifying session. And but, the primary day of observe motion on the 5.513-kilometre Circuit of The Americas in Austin had began in the very best approach for the Scuderia in Texas. Throughout the one observe session, because of the Dash Race format, the Italian staff rapidly dialed within the base setup, exhibiting that the preparation work completed within the simulator within the previous weeks had been effectively optimized. Nonetheless, the preliminary dealing with was not excellent: within the first laps, the automobile exhibited pronounced oversteer, particularly in turns 11 and 12, whereas the steadiness appeared extra secure within the “snake” part of the primary sector.
The third sector, characterised by decrease common speeds, was the place the automobile appeared probably the most balanced, and that is the place the staff centered their efforts, making an attempt to enhance traction in sluggish corners. Aerodynamically, Ferrari instantly confirmed the package deal in use. The rear wing dropped at the observe was the medium-high downforce one already seen at Circuit de Catalunya within the Spanish Grand Prix final June, one of many highest downforce configurations obtainable. The primary aircraft incorporates a important frontal space and a pronounced vanguard throughout your entire width of the profile.
Forward of the Dash Shootout, Ferrari made some changes to the setup to shift the general steadiness towards the rear. Additionally they made adjustments to the journey peak. This transfer improved stability in medium-speed corners however consequently made the automobile extra unstable within the “snake” part, the place some oversteer occurred mid-corner, with the rear finish tending to lighten. This conduct wasn’t at all times constant, solely manifesting underneath sure situations. Now, let’s discuss in regards to the tires.
For Ferrari, there’s a noticeable problem in getting the Delicate tires as much as temperature, notably within the first sector. Basically, it was clear that the SF-24 struggled to carry the tires into the best temperature window, ensuing within the first sector being tackled with tires colder than the goal temperature. Over the course of the lap, the tire regularly warmed up, reaching its optimum within the third sector, the place the automobile discovered numerous mechanical grip. Charles Leclerc confirmed he didn’t have a great feeling with the Delicate tires. It’s probably that the warm-up technique for the compound wasn’t the fitting one.
As for Mercedes, Andrew Shovlin expressed blended emotions in regards to the German staff’s first day on observe. Regardless of some positives, there was a sure frustration as a result of Lewis Hamilton was heading in the right direction to take pole place, however his lap was compromised by a yellow flag attributable to an off-track incident involving Williams driver Franco Colapinto, relegating him to seventh place on the grid. George Russell, regardless of not feeling as snug with the automobile as Lewis Hamilton, nonetheless managed to safe second place, exhibiting clear progress.
General, we will say that they made higher use of the smooth tire in comparison with Ferrari. The W15 single-seater was very robust within the preliminary sector, the place that they had suffered many issues within the first free observe session for the US Grand Prix. We noticed numerous bouncing within the snake part, a lot in order that Hamilton even spun out. The staff communicated the optimization work on the setup with a really low journey peak, regularly elevating the automobile afterward. Andrew Shovlin additionally emphasised that the brand new improve package deal launched appears to be working effectively, bringing the anticipated enhancements.
Lastly, a number of phrases about Crimson Bull, which lastly returned to pole place with Max Verstappen. This was a exact response to all of the latest controversies relating to the T-Tray machine, which may quickly alter journey peak. In the course of the first observe session, it was evident that the automobile was well-balanced, particularly within the first sector, the place the RB20 carried out strongly within the high-speed corners of the snake. Each drivers stated they felt snug with the automobile’s steadiness, and we noticed it on observe.
The Austrian staff adopted a barely completely different program in comparison with the opposite groups, utilizing the smooth tires early on a observe that was nonetheless evolving (as typically occurs), however the automobile’s steadiness was nonetheless encouraging. Some minor points appeared at low speeds within the third sector of the Circuit of the Americas, the place there was a noticeable diploma of bouncing. Nonetheless, general, Crimson Bull discovered a great steadiness between excessive and low speeds and was in a position to “hearth up” the smooth tires successfully. A facet that, in the long run, at all times proves crucial in System 1.
Oct 19, 2024
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