Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc spent two intense days in monitor testing at Sakhir, Bahrain. Plenty of scheduled work was efficiently accomplished in all points, so far as we all know. Other than the rain, which was a little bit of a nuisance for each drivers, the checks supplied the crew with a wealth of vital info. A considerable amount of information to course of, extraordinarily helpful for assessing the varied traits of the Ferrari and defining the distinctive traits of the automotive. This was the plan, to stipulate the aerodynamic map and set up the boundaries of the setup.
Inside this aggressive situation, we are able to conduct a primary evaluation relating to driving types and different attention-grabbing parameters, serving to us higher perceive the preferences of the 2 drivers on the wheel of the Ferrari SF-25. All of that is made potential because of the invaluable assist of telemetry. It is a actually efficient instrument that, when used to perfection, permits us on this particular case to look at the conduct and strategy of Ferrari’s two drivers. Let’s subsequently start with a direct comparability between Lewis and Charles, analyzing their quickest laps within the Italian automotive.
Initially, there’s a “suspicion” relating to the setup, as it seems that Charles Leclerc had a extra aerodynamically loaded configuration. We are able to infer this from the highest speeds and likewise from how he navigates the “snake” in Sector 1: the Monegasque driver tackles this part extra easily, even going flat out in corners 6 and seven, highlighting each the SF-25’s effectiveness in course modifications and the arrogance he had in finishing this sequence. Within the first three corners, nevertheless, the Englishman’s habits is decisively higher: from his use of the pedals, we discover that he’s barely extra aggressive than Charles Leclerc, getting on the throttle earlier.
On this part alone, he beneficial properties 0.072 seconds. The remaining benefit constructed by the Briton within the first sector comes from flip 4, which typically induces oversteer on exit: right here, Charles Leclerc struggled greater than Lewis Hamilton all through the session, together with on his quickest lap. Regardless of having the ability to carry extra minimal velocity by means of the middle of the nook, the previous Alfa Romeo driver has to delay full throttle till his wheels are fully straight. Over the course of the lap, we observe that the Monegasque was nearly all the time sooner in minimal cornering speeds.
One of many causes is straightforward: he makes use of the brake pedal much less to decelerate, relying extra on engine braking. He does this whereas nonetheless managing to offer the automotive the proper rotation. Quite the opposite, generally, Lewis Hamilton tends to hold extra velocity on the finish of the straights, attempting to brake as late as potential. This strategy typically forces him to make use of the left pedal greater than essential to keep away from understeer.
Because the lap continues, each Ferrari drivers have been flawless in flip 13, the place the SF-25 struggled on Wednesday, primarily resulting from excessive setups. Lewis Hamilton himself confirmed this, because the engineers wanted to know the automotive’s limits to outline the aerodynamic map. On the second day of testing, the entrance of the Ferrari was very sharp, permitting it to hit the apex exactly, with the rear following easily with none indicators of instability.
Moreover, as soon as once more, we are able to respect Charles Leclerc’s most well-liked approach: trailing-throttle. From what now we have seen, he’s the one driver on the whole grid who makes use of it, as it is extremely troublesome to execute successfully.
Within the analyzed lap, Charles Leclerc retains a slight quantity of throttle open even whereas cornering. The rationale stays the identical: balancing the automotive’s weight, shifting it from the entrance to the rear, and consequently placing down all the facility from the 066/15 energy unit sooner. The truth that the Monegasque driver makes use of this method is a optimistic signal, because it proves that the SF-25’s entrance finish holds up properly regardless of the burden switch towards the rear axle.
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