Ferrari has clear concepts for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on the 6.174-kilometre Jeddah Corniche Circuit this weekend, particularly to make a transparent step ahead. In System 1, what is required is quite a lot of substance and few phrases, and recently, the communication from the Prancing Horse has actually not been flawless on this regard. Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton will as soon as once more have to offer their all, taking into consideration that the brand new ground, after knowledge evaluation from Sakhir, might present these nonetheless untapped advantages, however the variations between the Ferrari drivers must be smoothed out
After the Bahrain GP comes Jeddah, a totally completely different observe. We’re speaking about high-speed corners the place good steadiness and floor-generated downforce are important. There are additionally many straights, so effectivity is prime. The Saudi Arabian spherical would be the second weekend through which the SF-25 vehicles will likely be fitted with the ground revised in a number of areas by the engineers led by Ferrari Head of Aerodynamics Diego Tondi.
The Maranello aerodynamicists have confirmed that the anticipated downforce factors had been achieved. The Ferrari drivers are assured, particularly Charles Leclerc, who as soon as once more made his purpose with the Italian facet clear yesterday. A barely completely different story for Lewis Hamilton, who continues to be making an attempt to adapt to the SF-25. In his case, he should let go of the driving model developed at Mercedes and absolutely decide to the Italian automotive.
The Italian single-seater continues to indicate a sure lack of rotation on observe, a trait that considerably impacts the Ferrari drivers’ dealing with. It’s a power characteristic that the drivers have been making an attempt to repair for the reason that early races. Charles Leclerc has succeeded impressively, whereas Lewis Hamilton, as talked about, has but to shake off the previous and embrace a special, more practical strategy to driving the Ferrari.
Jeddah must be extra suited to the traits of the SF-25, whereas Bahrain was one of many hardest races among the many early rounds of the championship. Now we transfer to a observe that’s considerably simpler in a number of respects. The Maranello crew wants extra front-end grip, in any other case, in high-speed corners, they may lose quite a lot of minimal apex velocity — a vital parameter for this sort of flip. The rear-end instability seen in onboards by the Snake part received’t assist both.
Ferrari had anticipated extra from the brand new ground. However on a special circuit, as Charles Leclerc talked about, we should always see this main part carry out extra successfully. Additionally with regard to experience heights, this observe might go well with the SF-25: smoother observe floor, usually stiffer suspension setups, and larger ease in reducing the automotive by these few lacking millimeters.
As for the rear setup, Ferrari arrives in Saudi Arabia with a slight modification to the rear wing. The specification stays the identical, so it isn’t an actual improve. The one distinction lies within the drag discount system flap, which encompasses a barely altered chord in an try to scale back drag with the system closed. A selected transfer tailor-made to this sort of circuit.
The Maranello crew may discover this observe simpler in terms of thermal tyre administration. In comparison with Sakhir, the place activation points had been evident, stopping correct administration of the automotive’s working window in each qualifying and the race, this shouldn’t be an issue in Jeddah. The power load and distribution throughout the compounds are fully completely different.
We all know the historic Italian crew is working arduous on this space. Certainly, identical to within the 2024 System 1 season, the power to handle the tyres is essential — usually extra so than any improve. Floor impact vehicles are very delicate to this parameter, and if McLaren persistently extracts robust efficiency, it’s largely on account of their skill to deal with the tyres.
For that reason, the race drivers have labored on warm-up technique within the simulator, which is extraordinarily vital at this observe, particularly contemplating the lengthy straights that are inclined to “quiet down” the entrance axle. Ferrari believes it may possibly handle this case properly in Jeddah. In just some hours, already within the first free follow periods, we’ll perceive the effectiveness of the measures carried out on the manufacturing unit on this vital entrance.
— see video above —
Purchase official Ferrari F1 merchandise!
Let different Scuderia Followers learn about us
