Scuderia Ferrari has a secret for Monte Carlo. Which is not really a secret according to Motorsport Italy, because we are talking about a specific feature of the power unit 066/7 that can be particularly efficient on the narrow streets of Monte Carlo.
And it should not be surprising if two elements of the Maranello power unit that were under a lot of scrutiny in Barcelona after the Spanish Grand Prix, will once again play a key factor: we are referring to the MGU-H and the turbo, the two details that led to Charles’ retirement at the Circuit de Catalunya on lap 27, when the Ferrari driver was in a position to take a dominant race win.
Wolf Zimmermann, designer of the 6-cylinder “Superfast” Ferrari power unit, worked on a combustion chamber with very fast ignition times. The Ferrari engine has very long intake ducts, capable of creating turbulent motions that favor the speed of flame propagation for the advantage of an increase in power and a consumption reduction.
The engineers directed by Enrico Gualtieri have managed to compensate for the lower calorific capacity of the current bio fuel that uses 10% ethanol, to make the most of the fuel which is developed by the research center that works with Shell. The Ferrari Racing Department worked to enhance the qualities of this innovative 6-cylinder and the intent was to extract maximum potential from the supercharging system and the hybrid as well.
Despite there are still some who are convinced of the contrary, the 066/7 did not adopt a design based on the separation of turbo and compressor: it did not follow the Mercedes standards introduced in 2014, as also Honda and Renault did, but the architecture remained the old one to focus on other peculiarities.
The turbo, for example, is smaller than last year’s to have a quicker response under acceleration and is accompanied by an MGU-H that was not designed to run at 125,000 rpm, the maximum speed allowed by the regulation, but finds its full efficiency around 100,000 rpm, to ensure with adequate electronic strategies an electric charging capacity which favors the extraordinary power at low revs that have enhanced the qualities of the F1-75.
The 066/7 engine in maximum power is probably a little bit behind as compared to Honda, but in medium power it expresses a superiority that is difficult to keep up with. The reasons why the F1-75 car does not reach Red Bull’s top speed peaks in the speed trap may be aerodynamic in nature (and the latest package narrowed the gap to just 3km / h), but it should come as no surprise that Ferrari’s power unit management means the hybrid is clipping in the last part of the longer straights, ensuring better performance in what is the most efficient range of use for the F1-75. Not an issue, but clearly a choice.
And Charles Leclerc’s telemetry data confirms this: the Monegasque driver , who is able to brake late into corners thanks to a car very focused on the front, is capable of not completely closing the throttle and start accelerating (telegraphing on the throttle) ahead of Verstappen, allowing the MGU-H and turbo to spring into action sooner.
Show your support for Scuderia Ferrari with official merchandise collection from Puma! Enter the online Puma Store and shop securely! And get your F1 tickets for every race with VIP hospitality and unparalleled insider access. Click here for the best offers to support Charles and Carlos from the track!
The positive effect is twofold, because Charles manages to unleash the horses that have been sought below and “loads” the floor which starts to work generating downforce for the benefit of excellent traction.
Monte Carlo is a track that enhances the qualities of the F1-75 car and the power unit we have described and Charles Leclerc could finally be able to break the Monaco GP curse. Will there are also be a redemption from the turbo and MGU-Hs that stole Charles’s victory in Spain?
Leave a Reply