Ferrari is ready for this first F1 session in Monaco. Test important ones will be broadcast, considering that every single run of free practice is fundamental in the search for the ideal set-up. Set-up which gave excellent results on the simulator but obviously, as always, despite the fact that the redhead has always started very well this year when she leaves the pit lane, awaits the usual confirmations. The prancing Horse arrives at Montecarlo with a precise objective: to do the pole position tomorrow and consequently apply as car number 1 to win the race.
The target starts from the assumption that passing through the narrow streets of Principality it’s practically impossible in competition. In the first session on Friday, the new version of the rear wing will be put under examination SF-24 EVO. In F1 every little change can make a big difference. In this case we are talking about a specification to maximize the aerodynamic load generated by the downforce. A provision which, together with the migration of the load to the rear axle, will offer a lot of grip to the rear. Everything is ready to go down the track, with the “two Carlos” just waiting in their cars for the green light.
F1, Ferrari studies the set-up chosen in the simulator with Hard tyres
For this first one runthe two Italian cars take to the track both with the compounds Hard. With the Pirelli white band, the desire of technicians and drivers is to study the performance of the car as best as possible based on the set-up chosen to Monk. The gearbox is set to position GX3. Arrived at Rascasse you switch to mode race and you start pushing. In the first attempt there is obviously a lot of caution to avoid making silly mistakes. Once the finish line has been crossed, the Ferrari drivers don’t take their foot off the accelerator. On the contrary, they continue to test the SF-24 EVO without letting the compounds “breathe”..
Track engineers offer lots of advice on how to optimize performance in the various corners. As mentioned, a sort of mini stint with a certain amount of fuel on board to understand the handling of the car. In this regard, we can say that the balance once again seems very good. Although the track is undoubtedly very complicated to interpret also taking into account the various factors bump present, the fixes are very minimal at the moment. Carlos he catches some traffic on lap 4 and decides to lift his foot before pushing again.
In this competitive context, the new configuration of the hybrid system, necessary to maximize traction, is also being tested. Same thing for the system DRS which is used in alternating turns. Halfway through this run a little oversteer became apparent but nothing that couldn’t be controlled. While we hear on the radio Verstappen complain a lot about front enda factor that we anticipated in our usual pre-weekend analyses, we can say that the front of the SF-24 EVO it feels very solid. Sainz he seems calmer than his teammate who is instead pushing a lot, in every corner, without paying too much attention to guard rail. He does it so much that he loses his rear end at the swimming pools.
Luckily the Monegasque manages to control the car and everything ends with a slight “fright”. Charles he certainly doesn’t let himself be influenced by this situation and goes back to pushing immediately. Shortly afterwards a pass arrives for the two Ferrari drivers cool down, necessary to cool not only the tires but all the internal components of the single-seater. In this phase the performance of F1 is very close with Ferrari, Red Bull, McLaren and Mercedes which in turn follow the same times. We must reiterate the quality of the setup which at the moment fully satisfies the red standard bearers. After about half an hour spent at most in these Fp1 you lift your foot and go back to box.
F1, Ferrari moves to medium and confirms itself. Solid and temperature front-end
Rider comments are very positive so far. No small load adjustments or suspensive adjustments, because the SF-24 EVO It does exactly what was expected. Good news, therefore, which however must be confirmed in the second part of the session. The program therefore includes others runthis time with tires Medium, apparently. A break of about 5 minutes and car number 16 returns to the asphalt. In this case, with a range of compound softer, Ferrari will test the cars differently. For the rest we try to reproduce the same feeling with the Hard and confirm the excellent sensations received with the Pirelli white band.
A few minutes later it’s time to Sainz. The Spaniard took a few minutes longer because compared to his teammate he had chosen to complete an extra lap in the first run. Traffic is always a big headache Monka path of F1 which physically has no space and the same drivers who slow down really struggle to get aside. With the medium compounds over two laps push consecutive ones you don’t go. With the tires in question the handling changes slightly and consequently the measures related to braking and the rotation of the SF-24 EVO managed in part by the center-of-curve differential.
Charles feels something strange about the car right in the center of the car. It all comes from the debris of Stakes that to Holy Devoteein turn 1, were hit squarely by Leclerc. This is why he asks for a check at the bottom. Bozzi suggests we stop by box where checks will be quick but accurate. Not even time to decelerate and it arrives red flag to clean the track. Meanwhile the question about the possible retouching of the front wing which however is not necessary. Free practice resumes within a few minutes and everything seems perfect on the Ferrari driver’s car.
The program resumes with a couple of rounds to reiterate the goodness of setting and gain further confidence. It is worth considering that the findings on the chronometric references did not concern the system too much team Of Maranello in Fp1. The objective was to build a lot of trust and precisely validate the structure. An effective data collection that fully respects the technicians’ ideas on SF-24 EVO. First piece placed for the Ferrari who respects the work plans with maximum marks, waiting to get on track in the afternoon session. Side note: the front end has no problem taking the correct temperatures and maintaining them.
Authors: Alessandro Arcari – @berrageiz – Niccolo Arnerich – @niccoloarnerich
Images: Scuderia Ferrari – F1TV
