What sort of Ferrari did we see in Jeddah? The identical as at all times can be essentially the most correct reply. The truth is, this so-called step ahead has been talked about for a month and a half now. And but, regardless of all of the discuss that there appears to be a glimmer of sunshine, in actuality darkness and gloomy tones proceed to prevail. The frustration impacts not solely the followers but in addition lingers of their minds.
Ferrari did optimize issues with Charles
Fred Vasseur claims extra might have been accomplished, as a result of shedding greater than two and a half tenths in two corners shouldn’t be acceptable. That’s precisely what occurred to Ferrari, however the causes are completely different and fairly clear. Fred states that by optimizing efficiency, the hole would have been completely different, however we strongly disagree. Charles Leclerc doesn’t agree both. That’s precisely why he’s dissatisfied with Ferrari.
The staff went out with a baseline setup the place the SF-25 labored nicely within the extra technical sectors. Nevertheless, in route modifications it lacked the mandatory precision — a state of affairs, as defined in our typical technical evaluation, that led the staff to stiffen the automobile additional. Some enhancements adopted, however as a consequence, grip administration within the slower corners worsened.
The story stays the identical. The notorious quick blanket: wherever you pull it, you expose a weak spot. That’s why there’s no level in speaking about optimization. Automobile quantity 16, in Leclerc’s arms, produced an outstanding lap. As soon as once more, Charles drove past the automobile’s issues. He did it by taking main dangers. The snap in Flip 16 in the course of the Q3 flying lap is the proper snapshot of the state of affairs.
Fred’s flawed and puzzling view
Over a 300-kilometre race, in idea, tyre degradation must be a lot decrease than in Bahrain. There could also be some graining points on the entrance tyres, which have a tendency to chill down on the straights — that’s true. Fred Vasseur additionally claims that Ferrari has at all times carried out nicely with a excessive gasoline load. We’re not precisely certain which automobile Fred, at all times cheerful, is referring to.
As a result of if “performing nicely” means not even reaching the rostrum in 4 races, then that claims all of it. In FP2, the lengthy runs had been disrupted resulting from Yuki Tsunoda’s crash at Flip 27. Only some laps had been accomplished, which can’t and shouldn’t be a reference. The hole to McLaren was nicely over a second within the two laps put collectively, which suggests the gasoline masses had been considerably completely different.
Furthermore, the Ferrari staff principal claims that in races, the Maranello automobile performs higher than in qualifying. Once more, primarily based on the typical gaps over the primary three races, we don’t see such a giant distinction in race tempo. We’re speaking in regards to the typical 3–4 tenths per lap on common — which, actually, had been generally smaller in qualifying. Once more, we battle to know the explanation for these statements.
The Frenchman’s proud stance
“We’re not right here to be three tenths off pole.” Setting apart the truth that the hole was virtually 4 tenths, even the followers don’t attend races to see Ferrari getting overwhelmed by that margin. However followers can solely watch and assist. Those that even have the ability to vary issues and make a distinction are those throughout the staff. They usually should act quick.
Fred Vasseur has a sense — a hunch that factors to the shortcoming to place every thing collectively. However nothing modifications, Fred. It’s at all times the identical story. With this automobile, there merely wasn’t extra to be accomplished. Charles’ phrases are so clear that they categorically contradict Fred Vasseur’s considering. Then we transfer on to the supposed tyre administration talked about earlier. Based on Ferrari’s boss, every thing will rely on that.
True: this yr greater than ever, tyres are taking part in a key position in efficiency. However in the long run, assuming equal ability in managing them, the quicker automobile will at all times come out on high. And with all due respect to the previous Alfa Romeo boss, we strongly doubt the SF-25 will present higher tempo than McLaren, Purple Bull or Mercedes. We’d be joyful to be confirmed unsuitable, in fact. Pleased Easter to everybody — even to Fred.
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