Seeing a aggressive Ferrari in such conditions shouldn’t be a shock anymore. And but, what’s most regarding in the intervening time is to witness the marvel within the eyes and voices of the representatives of the Prancing Horse, each when issues go properly, like final weekend on the 7.004-kilometre Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Stavelot, Belgium, and after they take a downturn, as was the case in Silverstone and Hungary.
Let’s proceed with a recap of the methods seen throughout the 2023 Components 1 Belgian Grand Prix at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
Recap of the methods
On Sunday morning, we have been pretty sure that the race would contain two-stop methods (read here). The uncertainty revolved round which tires can be probably the most appropriate to finish the Belgian Grand Prix. Referring to the methods seen final 12 months and contemplating that the drivers would face a quite chilly and inexperienced observe, a number of information media shops really useful using M-M-H (medium-medium-hard), whereas Pirelli prompt adopting S-M-S (soft-medium-soft). This time credit score goes to the Italian producer.
As we will observe from the recap offered by Pirelli, 7 drivers, together with the highest three finishers (so as, Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez and Charles Leclerc), opted for 2 units of sentimental tires and one set of mediums. On this technique, Lewis Hamilton selected to mount a second set of mediums on the final accessible lap to safe the quickest lap in 1’47”305.
5 drivers selected to make use of two units of mediums and one set of softs (Fernando Alonso, the best-placed in fifth place); Lando Norris was the one one to make use of all three compounds (in reality, he was the driving force who accomplished probably the most laps on the crimson C4 tire, ending in seventh place with 27 laps); Lance Stroll and Pierre Gasly made a single pit cease, utilizing mediums and softs, with Stroll forward of Gasly within the order; whereas Williams went for 3 pit stops with each drivers adopting an S-M-M-S technique.
Ferrari amazed by the third-place end, as if it had misplaced its means
As soon as the Belgian Grand Prix was over, it was time for the protagonists to offer interviews earlier than heading into the summer season break. Ferrari achieved an exquisite podium, and naturally, everybody from Charles Leclerc to Fred Vasseur (besides Carlos Sainz, who had to retire after being hit by Oscar Piastri in Turn 1 proper after the lights went out) expressed nice satisfaction with the tempo proven at Spa. What’s worrying isn’t a lot this (though it’s…), however the truth that they claimed (referring to the Monegasque) that the Maranello crew doesn’t perceive why the SF-23 had such a special conduct between Belgium and Hungary.
Benefiting from this column, now we have already talked a number of occasions about our principle. Ferrari performs a lot better on rear-limited tracks like Austria and Hungary, whereas it struggles on front-limited circuits like Silverstone and Spa-Francorchamps (listed here are the variations). Nonetheless, this aspect alone isn’t sufficient to know how the Maranello automobile will behave. Taking a look at these tracks, the Scuderia obtained a podium each in Spielberg and in Belgium, whereas going through difficulties in Budapest and the UK. So, what could possibly be the aspect that brings all the pieces collectively? The temperatures.
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On the Hungaroring, the drivers needed to race with observe temperatures of fifty°C, and regardless that the character of the circuit might provide a bonus to Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, the duo struggled to maintain the tires in the precise working window. Quite the opposite, in Belgium, regardless of the quick corners inflicting larger tire overheating, having a observe temperature by no means exceeding 34°C allowed Charles to constantly extract the complete potential from his automobile. In the intervening time, this appears to be the speculation that greatest explains the numerous ups and downs of Ferrari.
Due to this fact, one can’t be too optimistic concerning the outcome achieved at Spa. Sadly for the Maranello crew, Components 1 organizes many of the races in summer season and never in autumn/winter. Will probably be troublesome to create a situation once more the place the rain falls simply sufficient to not warmth the observe floor, permitting automobiles to proceed on slick tires with out having to change to intermediates. We’re ready for extra suggestions to additional analyze and perceive what the true weak point of this Ferrari is.
Within the phrases of technicians and drivers, there’s a sense of missing a transparent path, a line to comply with in an try to unravel the problems. They appear to be continuing by trial and error, a bit randomly, as if they’d misplaced their compass. Nonetheless, maybe it’s only a feeling.
Relating to the pit stops and tire modifications, all the pieces went because it ought to at Spa. They brilliantly remedied the issues that emerged throughout Saturday’s Dash Race. The one remorse isn’t with the ability to see if Carlos Sainz would have confirmed Charles Leclerc’s good tempo.
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