The 2024 Components 1 marketing campaign has showcased an unprecedented closeness throughout the grid, with each crew striving to seek out even the smallest benefit. This intense competitors has pushed innovation and scrutiny alike, as rival groups watch one another’s each transfer.
One main improvement got here after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix when McLaren confronted accusations of deploying a “double DRS” rear wing design, prompting the crew to make modifications. Purple Bull additionally raised considerations over McLaren’s brake covers, resulting in a rule change from the FIA affecting brake parts—an adjustment that coincided with a slight dip in Purple Bull’s personal efficiency.
Because the competitors intensifies, each crew has prioritized each the enhancement of their very own autos and shut surveillance of their opponents.
Italian media outlet *Autosprint* not too long ago reported on incidents from the São Paulo Grand Prix, highlighting an accusation from Purple Bull that McLaren had allegedly used a tactic involving water injection into their tires—a way Purple Bull believes McLaren might have inherited from former Purple Bull staff now inside McLaren’s ranks. Injecting water into tires is prohibited in F1, and thus far, no proof suggests McLaren or Ferrari have engaged in such practices. Nevertheless, Ferrari additionally discovered itself entangled in related accusations of utilizing this tactic.
In the course of the São Paulo Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc narrowly missed the rostrum, whereas Carlos Sainz confronted mishaps throughout qualifying and the race. Ferrari stays locked in a fierce Constructors’ Championship battle with McLaren and Purple Bull, and it’s clear that each one three groups are scrutinizing each other’s each transfer.
In keeping with *Autosprint*, Purple Bull’s crew principal Christian Horner initiated discussions across the alleged unlawful tire-cooling system McLaren was suspected of utilizing. The system reportedly includes spraying water contained in the tires by the rim spokes to maintain tire strain steady, thereby decreasing degradation and permitting for extra aggressive, prolonged runs on the identical set of tires. Whereas Horner urged the FIA to analyze, the report talked about “paddock rumors” suggesting that Ferrari may additionally have employed this method, though no concrete proof of its use by any crew has been discovered.
Purple Bull is conversant in this technique, having developed an analogous cooling system between 2016 and 2018. They believe that former staff, now working with different groups, might have transferred information of this system, although it has lengthy been banned by the FIA. The system gives a theoretical benefit, however proving it’s getting used stays a major problem.
In the meantime, Ferrari is already wanting ahead to the 2025 Components 1 marketing campaign, setting their sights on a stronger Constructors’ Championship marketing campaign. In 2024, Ferrari constantly contended for podiums and occasional race wins, although they’ve but to dominate the sphere. Leclerc’s win in Monaco owed a lot to his excellent qualifying efficiency, whereas a strategic misstep by McLaren allowed him to grab victory at Monza. Ferrari additionally got here near securing a one-two end in Mexico Metropolis, although McLaren’s Lando Norris in the end had the tempo to prevail, leaving Ferrari to acknowledge McLaren’s title probabilities this season.
Nonetheless, Ferrari has each motive to be optimistic, particularly with the arrival of Lewis Hamilton in 2025 to interchange Carlos Sainz. The Maranello crew is assured that pairing Lewis Hamilton with Charles Leclerc will give them one of many strongest lineups on the grid. Nevertheless, questions stay round Hamilton’s kind, as his qualifying performances towards teammate George Russell this season counsel he might face extra challenges on the Italian facet than anticipated.
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