techndly

Ferrari’s Q3 Quandary We have seen time and again Ferrari show promise during the practice sessions and then disappoint come qualifying. Why is it that #Hamilton and #Leclerc lament tyre prep more than other teams or have more moments in their final run despite their prowess in Qualifying? My guess is Ferrari has opted for a higher torque delivery map so that they compensate for their weaker engine and lower top speed. This helps with their cornering performance. However, in the final runs of Q3 when the engine is turned up, I think the wheel torque just ends up being too much (causing the car to go beyond its grip limit) as the smaller turbo + shorter gearing amplify the impact of higher Q3 engine torque. This could narrow the optimal grip window so much that it makes it very easy for the drivers to fall foul. Thanks to @f1insightshub we can compare Leclerc’s #AustinGP final run with his fastest lap in Q2. At lower gears you have a higher torque multiplier effect, and in Q3, we see Leclerc having moments/losing time in the lower gear/slower corners (where he may have had too much torque i.e. exceeded the grip limit). But, in the high speed corners and straights, his Q3 lap is faster than his fastest lap in Q2. In #MexicoGP FP1 and FP2, Ferrari ran a higher engine mode. Many people have resorted to the usual ‘glory run’ and ‘PR’ narrative, but what if there was a logical reason for Ferrari to do this. Given Ferrari’s philosophy, their Q3 higher engine mode may increase rpm but the torque delivery is likely too much. By running at a higher engine mode (especially on a green track when grip is lower), Ferrari can hopefully better gauge how best to optimise the different parameters so as to stay within the grip limits come Q3. I like that Leclerc was pushing/catching snaps in FP2 in an effort to understand grip limitations. Fingers crossed that with the data Ferrari makes the right mapping choices for Q3 and hopefully gets the first pole of the year. #F1 #Ferrari