A number of days on from the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Scuderia Ferrari HP and the opposite Formulation 1 groups have made the 13,000 kilometre journey to the Persian Gulf, particularly to Qatar for this weekend’s penultimate race of the season, the ultimate Dash occasion of the 12 months.
The Lusail Worldwide Circuit boasts one of the vital fashionable paddocks on the earth, following its rebuild in 2023, though the observe itself, initially conceived for motorbike racing, retains the unique format. Actually, the inaugural occasion was the 2004 MotoGP, 17 years earlier than the primary Formulation 1 race was held in Qatar. One can inform it was initially designed for two-wheeled racing by wanting on the quick and flowing sequences of corners, which provide the motorbike racers a wide range of strains and overtaking alternatives. The identical can’t be mentioned for Formulation 1, as this format is an invite to push flat out, thus decreasing the variety of alternatives to go to only two factors on the observe. The lap begins with an extended principal straight resulting in the primary proper hand nook, the place risking an overtaking transfer is on the playing cards. The drivers preserve working at excessive velocity by means of the left-right sequence at turns 2 and three, adopted by two proper handers main into the flip 6 hairpin, one other overtaking alternative. The center sector options extra excessive velocity corners resulting in the ultimate half which contains a additional three quick proper handers, earlier than flip 16 after which comes the start-finish straight the place the DRS can be utilized.
Situations in final 12 months’s race had been virtually inconceivable resulting from extraordinarily sizzling climate. Nevertheless, this 12 months’s race takes place two months later which means that situations could possibly be far more appropriate. The desert local weather implies that, relatively than rain, it is wind and sand that may trigger issues, provided that sandstorms are fairly widespread right here.
Tyre technique is certainly tough to handle on the Lusail circuit. Final 12 months, the FIA had been obliged to make it obligatory for the groups to pit each 18 laps due to extreme tyre put on, however that isn’t anticipated to be the case this time. Nonetheless, with overtaking being so tough, a two-stop technique would possibly work, mixing it up with the compounds in an effort to make up locations by undercutting or overcutting different automobiles.
Fred Vasseur: The second race on this remaining triple-header of the season see us go from the chilly of the desert round Las Vegas, the place we diminished the hole to McLaren within the championship to 24 factors, to the a lot hotter local weather of Lusail. Aside from the change in temperature, the tracks themselves couldn’t be extra totally different, as we go from one with proper angle turns and lengthy straights to now race on a observe with many excessive velocity corners, which on paper does not play to our strengths. The Qatar GP is the final Dash weekend of the 12 months which, as at all times means the work the groups perform again at base takes on better significance than traditional, as there is just one free observe session. There are 59 factors up for grabs, however this is not the time to start out doing the maths. All we are able to do is execute all the things completely to make sure that Charles and Carlos can squeeze each final drop of efficiency out of the SF-24. We’ve got seen, particularly in current races, that Formulation 1 as a complete is working at a really excessive stage proper now, with the slightest element typically making the distinction, turning the accepted establishment on its head. It is time for one final push over these subsequent two weekends and our drivers, engineers and everybody within the crew, each on the observe and in Maranello are prepared to offer it our greatest shot!
Ferrari in Qatar
GP contested: 2Debut: 2021 (C. Sainz seventh; C. Leclerc eighth)Wins: 0Pole positions: 0Fastest laps: 0Podiums: 0
Three Questions To Fabio Bellosi – Car Meeting Supervisor
What challenges does the Qatar observe throw up for the mechanical components of the automotive? Fabio Bellosi: This race is extraordinarily robust due to the observe traits and as a result of extraordinarily sizzling situations, typical of a desert local weather. Subsequently, all the things regarding cooling, for engine and brakes, is essential and must be managed proper all the way down to the smallest element. The Lusail observe can be difficult from a structural perspective due to the masses imposed on the automotive on observe, on the chassis and when it comes to tyre administration.
From a bodily perspective, what are probably the most demanding points of the final two races of the season within the Persian Gulf and the way has the crew organised itself to take care of them? FB: For these remaining two races it’s critical to keep up focus as a result of by the top of the season it is simple to lose psychological focus. The physique has to take care of a big time distinction and we go from very chilly situations in Las Vegas to excessive warmth in Qatar. Getting sufficient relaxation the place potential and adapting rapidly is important to carry out at one’s greatest, so logistically, we’re organised so that each one crew members can take advantage of the primary days of the week to seek out time to take issues simple for a second.
What’s it like representing Scuderia Ferrari HP whereas travelling around the globe? FB: Effectively, there’s undoubtedly a sense that it is an awesome honour and there is a sense of delight, however it’s also an actual duty representing such a prestigious marque and everybody who works so arduous for this crew. We’re ambassadors for the marque and are extremely pleased with that.
Information & Figures
75. The size in kilometres of Doha’s metro, the longest driverless system on the earth. The superior design of its 110 trains makes it distinctive. With three strains – purple, inexperienced and gold – it was opened in 2019.
86.7. Qatar’s safety index, out of 100 in line with the newest (2023) Numbeo Crime Index, which makes it the most secure nation on the earth. The United Arab Emirates is second on this particular desk.
97. The boats accessible for brief journeys alongside the Doha Corniche. These boats are well-known for his or her cultural significance, in addition to affording nice views of the town skyline. They vary from conventional wood craft to luxurious personal yachts and speedboats, in addition to water taxis that take prospects to locations similar to The Pearl-Qatar and 974 Seashore. Probably the most interesting are the big wood boats, decked out with a number of mild, loud music, with vibrant cushions throughout their wood benches.
103. The peak in metres of the best level in Qatar, Qurain Abu al-Bawl. The Gulf state is the second flattest on the earth behind the Maldives, whose highest level is the 5 metre excessive Mount Villingili on the Addu atoll. In third place is Denmark, with the 171 metre tall Mount Mollehoj.
1000+. The approximate variety of retailers in Doha’s Souq Waqif. It is a bustling conventional market set in a labyrinth of alleys, whose retailers supply a bewildering vary of spices, materials, handicrafts, jewelry, perfumes and souvenirs. In addition to the retailers, the souq is house to quite a few eating places, cafes and distinctive points of interest such because the Falcon Souq, devoted to falconry, and the Artwork Heart artwork gallery, making it an vital cultural and business hub.
