Given the absence of Carlos Sainz from the second phase of qualifying, we decided to compare the SF21 car of Charles Leclerc with McLaren, a direct rival for third place in the constructors’ championship. With a great lap in the final stages, Norris put his MCL35M ahead of the Ferrari for only 7 thousandths. Considering the difficulties that the SF21 car has shown in overtaking the British car during the previous races, the situation ahead of today’s race is certainly not the best.
The speed chart shows Charles Leclerc’s difficulty in making good use of the tires in the first part of the lap. Charles, in fact, loses 119 thousandths in T1 due to the delta on the minimum speeds in turns 1 and 2. Although in the rest of the lap the Monegasque is a bit more competitive, there is a further delay of 61 thousandths in T2. The Ferrari driver loses in the fast corners 4 and 11, despite the fact that the number 16 slightly recovers ground in the change of direction between 8 and 9.
In the third sector it is the British driver who loses time, suffering from the excellent mechanical grip that the SF21 is able to produce. Of note is a slight clipping for the McLaren on the straight leading to 4. Top speeds are almost identical, suggesting similar downforce. The differences are therefore induced by the driving style as well as by the dissimilar balances.
Taking into consideration the track relating to the transmission there are a couple of very interesting ideas. In fact, it can be seen that out of almost all the corners Charles Leclerc is able to go up the gears faster than Norris. This element once again underlines the Ferrari’s improved traction, which effectively allows the Monegasque to reach top speed more quickly.
What has just been said can be seen in the portion of the track that connects turns 8 to 9, where the Ferrari driver is able to reach a higher speed peak thanks to the insertion of fifth gear. While Lando’s choice in climbing up to second in turn 2 indicates the choice of a different trajectory.
By comparing the telemetry extrapolated from the use of the accelerator, it is not too difficult to realize how Charles Leclerc, compared to the Englishman, has the ability to go on the gas in advance in most of the corners that make up the layout of the Hungarian track.
This finding is confirmed by the reasoning previously made on the transmission. On the other hand, closing this brief analysis, it should be noted that in the fastest corners such as 11, Norris manages to keep the pedal of the single-seater pressed for a longer time against the Monegasque.
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