Ferrari seeks efficiency, McLaren and Red Bull study on-track setup | 2024 F1 Abu Dhabi GP preview
12/05/2024 01:36 PM
Scuderia Ferrari is competing for the F1 Constructors’ Championship against McLaren. The competitive setting is Abu Dhabi, Yas Marina, where the final round of the 2024 Formula 1 championship will take place. The track is unique, featuring various types of corners combined with two high-speed sections separated by a chicane. The track surface is not very abrasive, but high temperatures force teams to manage tires in the third sector. A perfect aero-mechanical compromise will be needed, as always, to deliver the best performance. Ferrari must win and hope for help from the Woking team.
Red Bull, however, led by Max Verstappen, could find great performance and join the fight. Mercedes also cannot be ruled out of contention, as despite preferring cooler conditions, the W15 has proven capable of being competitive, especially with George Russell. It will also be Lewis Hamilton‘s last race with the Brackley team before moving to Ferrari, giving the Briton extra motivation to leave fans with a memorable impression. In short, there are plenty of reasons for an exciting F1 weekend.
For the final event of the season, Formula 1 teams arrive with precise aerodynamic choices aimed at finding a delicate balance between efficiency and handling. These are key elements on a track featuring medium-speed corners and the need for high mechanical grip. Red Bull stands out for testing two different rear wing specifications, as observed in photos taken on Thursday by various journalists in the Yas Marina pitlane. Sergio Perez's car is equipped with the medium-load wing used at the Baku city circuit in Azerbaijan. Its main profile is less pronounced, whereas Max Verstappen‘s car features the higher-load version previously seen during the season at the British Grand Prix in Silverstone. Both wings include a nolder on the trailing edge. This approach appears to reflect the goal of achieving a clear compromise: a more rearward balance helpful in medium-speed corners while addressing recent issues, such as those encountered in Qatar and Las Vegas.
However, increasing rear load to improve balance on the RB20 could compromise top speeds. The optimal choice remains to be seen. Ferrari has chosen a medium-load wing, also used at the Silverstone circuit, aiming to maximize top speeds without sacrificing grip. This approach aligns with last season's strategy. Notably, in 2023, the Italian team adopted a similar approach, as seen today.
Nevertheless, the current version of the wing features a more pronounced spoon profile, aiming to exploit an ideal setup window and, consequently, provide the Maranello car with the most stable overall balance possible. Ferrari is seeking a better connection with the front end of its car to deliver a balance that satisfies both drivers. On car number 16, the “old” floor is currently installed, rather than the one introduced in Las Vegas.
McLaren also arrives with a dual array of aerodynamic options. The final choice of the historic British team will largely depend on the data collected on track, combined with feedback from the drivers, as the sensitivity of the circuit requires accurate validation of the simulations. One of the available specifications is the Barcelona version, featuring a very pronounced spoon profile and higher downforce, while the other, introduced in Austin, generates medium downforce. The challenge will be to find the balance that best suits the drivers.
This is undoubtedly a crucial move to prepare as effectively as possible for the final championship challenge and tackle the medium-speed corners efficiently. Abu Dhabi is a track that is particularly sensitive to efficiency. The team will test two specifications, as the optimal downforce level cannot ideally be achieved with either wing alone. Consequently, the engineers must be very shrewd in determining which of the two versions will better suit the MCL38, then complete the setup by appropriately adjusting the ride heights and beam-wing angles.
Finally, Mercedes relies on a medium-load spoon wing. This is also a version already tested successfully in Canada, Barcelona, and Austria. A configuration that has demonstrated good balance and could provide a potential advantage in a context where finding the optimal setup will be quite beneficial for delivering a convincing performance. The choice of configurations by the various F1 teams highlights a balance between conservative and experimental approaches, all aimed at maximizing the potential of their cars in a decisive weekend.
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