Ferrari disqualification fear revealed ahead of Chinese GP as real reason for…read more
Ferrari’s disappointing performance at the Australian Grand Prix has been attributed to an unexpected technical issue, not just strategy errors, as initially thought. Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton finished in eighth and tenth positions, respectively, after a challenging race at Albert Park last Sunday. Despite a promising start, where Leclerc moved up to fifth, both Ferrari drivers struggled with pace, particularly as the weather conditions shifted late in the race.
Initially, Ferrari’s strategy mistakes seemed to be the primary reason for their poor result, as they pitted both drivers a lap too late for intermediate tires when rain began to fall. However, it has now emerged that a technical issue with the car’s setup played a significant role in their struggles. Reports reveal that Ferrari brought a medium-downforce front wing to Melbourne, which they believed would perform well in wet conditions. However, this choice may have hampered their qualifying pace in dry conditions, contributing to their overall lack of performance.
The real problem, however, was identified after the race. Motorsport.com.it reported that Ferrari’s race setup was based on an incorrect simulator configuration, which ultimately led to a suspension problem. Specifically, the ride height of the car was too low during Friday practice, causing the car to run dangerously close to the ground. This issue was particularly concerning because it risked excessive wear on the skid blocks beneath the car’s underfloor, which could lead to a disqualification under Formula 1’s technical regulations.
With the risk of being disqualified, Ferrari had to make urgent adjustments to the car’s setup. These changes, however, affected the car’s aerodynamic performance, which in turn hurt Ferrari’s pace in both qualifying and the race. The issue with the low ride height is being considered a serious problem for the SF-25, as it impacted the car’s aerodynamics, a crucial aspect of their performance. It’s still unclear whether this issue was a one-off or something that could occur again in future races, such as the upcoming Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai.
Despite the setbacks in Melbourne, Ferrari’s team principal, Frederic Vasseur, is optimistic about the future. He reassured reporters that the team was focused on rectifying these issues and would prepare meticulously for the next race. According to Vasseur, the team will use the Maranello simulator to fine-tune the car setup for the Shanghai circuit, ensuring that both Leclerc and Hamilton have the best possible support. Both drivers are known to enjoy racing in China, which could give Ferrari a chance to bounce back.
In 2023, Leclerc was disqualified from the United States Grand Prix in Austin for excessive skid block wear, a penalty also handed to Hamilton, who finished second. This adds to the significance of Ferrari’s setup issue, as both drivers have experienced similar technical penalties in the past.
