The Lusail circuit has been completely resurfaced, and the layout of the pit boxes has been changed, along with adjustments to the curbs compared to 2021. The Qatar Grand Prix will reintroduce the Sprint race format, resulting in a single practice session (under the scorching sun) before the night-time qualifying. The Scuderia arrives in Doha after conducting specific simulation work aimed at facilitating the setup of their car. We will find out if it yields results over the weekend.
Ferrari faces a crucial evaluation in Lusail, where the track has been completely resurfaced and curbs have been revised (following tire punctures experienced in 2021). Formula 1 teams are arriving at the circuit without precise references. Anticipating an abrasive surface, Pirelli has chosen the three hardest tire compounds from their range (C1, C2, C3).
Adding to the equation, the Qatar Grand Prix presents the fourth race weekend with the Sprint race format, leading to only one practice session before Friday’s qualifying. It becomes essential to field a car with a solid baseline setup that allows the Maranello team to minimize experiments and make the most of the limited available time to unlock the full potential of the SF-23.
It’s accurate to say that the Ferrari has consistently performed well during weekends that featured Sprint races. Baku, the Red Bull Ring, and Spa-Francorchamps were appointments where the Scuderia’s car held up well, so there’s an expectation that the positive trend will continue in Lusail.
However, a new variable will be introduced in Qatar: during the daytime, temperatures could reach up to 40 degrees Celsius, and while the qualifying, Sprint Race, and Grand Prix will be held at night with temperatures around 27 degrees, the FP1 and the Sprint Shootout will take place before sunset. Therefore, the environmental conditions will be significantly more extreme and variable. Having a reference point to work with based on the weekend’s changes can become essential.
Thus, it will be crucial to arrive at the track well-prepared. Besides changes in how the car uses electrical energy throughout a lap, it seems that Ferrari has also adjusted some parameters in the simulation work, based on the directions from those who have assumed control of the department, which Frederic Vasseur is also reorganizing with fresh personnel from outside (not from Red Bull).
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In Maranello, there are no bold claims or announcements, but evidently, the structure of the Sporting Management is continually evolving, as predicted by the same French manager in an interview he gave to Motorsport.com at the beginning of the summer.
To simplify the concept of simulation, it’s essentially fine-tuning to make virtual activity even more consistent with reality on the track, with more attention to variations in the speed of specific sections. The goal is not to increase the quantity of data to monitor, but to enhance the quality of the insights obtained.
Beyond the fact that the Qatar circuit is a stop-and-go layout, theoretically more favorable for the characteristics of the SF-23 compared to Suzuka, there is also the expectation to see if the predictive work can guarantee a slight improvement in Ferrari’s working method, which should translate into enhanced performance.
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