With Ferrari out of the running in Canada, Mercedes and McLaren fought with Red Bull for the lead. However, neither team could stay ahead of Verstappen, who claimed a sixth victory of the season. The Dutchman showed his class once again, whilst his closest rival in the standings – Leclerc – had a horrible weekend. Looking at the constructors, Red Bull is more vulnerable. Their margin for error grows smaller as Verstappen battles at the front alone.
Ferrari stay optimistic about their performance
Despite this disastrous weekend, Ferrari are front-runners in dry conditions. After Monaco, the SF-24 proved capable of giving Red Bull a challenge. McLaren are also regular contenders for race wins at this stage. Meanwhile, Mercedes have shown potential – though they must sustain it.
Leclerc and Sainz started the weekend positively on Friday, giving largely positive comments. On Saturday, everything changed. A change in temperature and drop in grip levels (thanks to the rain) complicated things for the Scuderia. Ferrari could not find the ideal operating window and were unable to lean on the tyres.
This limitation first appeared on the SF-24 in China. Track conditions, alongside poor set-up, cost the Maranello-based squad dearly in Shanghai. The team’s task was made more difficult by the absence of their first major 2024 updates.
In qualifying, the SF-24 is highly dependent on tyre pressures.
As is known, engineers can change very few things in parc ferme. One variable they can alter is tyre pressure. Pirelli gives the minimum parameters to avoid failures, but beyond this, the teams have freedom. There is no need for a maximum limit – since teams know that too high of a figure can be detrimental.
The pressures when the tyre is stationary are approximately 10 psi lower than the stabilised pressures at which the car runs. The sooner that stable value is reached, the sooner the tyre heats up internally, and the sooner it works correctly.
Obviously, every car has its own ideal range. If it were easy to get an all-rounder on tyres, everyone would get there.
No car is ideal across the spectrum of different temperatures and corner tyres. In this sense, the best teams are those who avoid any significant performance losses. Of course, these pressures and temperatures impact pace – as shown most clearly by Mercedes.
Ferrari susceptible at certain circuits and corner types
Increasing tyre pressures to warm up the tyres can cause a slight loss of grip and impact aerodynamic balance, especially in qualifying. Staying at the lowest tyre pressure generates the most grip but at the expense of a more difficult warm-up.
Everything is highly dependent on track layout and mechanical stiffness settings. Stop-and-go & go circuits, for example, are not ideal for Ferrari.
A lack of grip was widely anticipated heading into the Chinese GP. Similarly, in Canada, Ferrari were impacted by several factors: Temperatures, asphalt and track layout were all obstacles the team had no answer to.
Is it possible to improve this deficit?
The SF-24 was created to preserve its tyres over a race distance. In this sense, the 2024 team’s 2024 car has met one of the key targets set over winter. In long runs, with high temperatures, Ferrari are the most consistent team in terms of tyre management. However, it takes the Scuderia more time to generate heat.
In Montreal, Leclerc and Sainz’s problems prevented a more accurate assessment of the SF-24’s speed. Still, it is clear the main problem Ferrari must address is getting its tyres up to temperature in qualifying.
Ferrari’s solution to solve their tyre problem
More aerodynamic load is needed to push the tyre down and produce more energy. Therefore, achieving more load via the SF-24’s next updates should improve the car’s difficulties in generating temperature – especially in unfavourable conditions.
For this reason, Ferrari is making an important effort to bring new parts to Spain. Their new floor should add downforce, and act as a response after a difficult three days in Canada. Red Bull and Mercedes have already declared that they will bring updates to Barcelona.
