The Ferrari seen on track in the first two practice sessions for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza can be in the mix. The weekend is still long, but the start is one that doesn’t rule out any objectives. Maranello has focused heavily on the home race, and the low-drag configuration on the two SF-24 cars is not just a mix of aerodynamic adjustments but a much more detailed work that required time and also an investment under the budget cap. This choice reflects the desire to perform well in front of the ‘red’ crowd and to achieve a good result after a difficult period.
The first two practice sessions confirmed that Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc can compete. There will be work to do and a track to interpret as the weekend progresses, but there haven’t been any clear (negative) verdicts as in other weekends.
On the fast lap, Carlos Sainz’s third time (and Leclerc’s fifth) is just a tenth off Lewis Hamilton’s reference time, and there’s also a tenth of a second difference in race pace between the Ferrari drivers and the McLarens. These are small margins that give hope.
“Overall, it was a pretty positive day,” commented Leclerc. “Our performances are good, driving the car was enjoyable, and the updates we brought to the car are working as expected. What we need to focus on is the car’s balance because there’s still some room for improvement in that area.” Charles struggled with the steering of the car, especially in FP1, but the situation improved in the afternoon session, though it’s still not ideal.
Carlos Sainz had anticipated it yesterday: the new Monza curbs are not bad news for Ferrari. And so it seemed. “The Monza track has changed a lot,” Carlos Sainz reiterated. “With very different curbs and new asphalt. For this reason, the challenges and the car’s limits are quite different from previous years, and we had to adapt to a new scenario in terms of setup and understanding tire degradation.” Tire management will likely be the decisive factor for the fifty-three laps scheduled for Sunday.
“The new asphalt, I think, will make the race difficult for everyone,” added Charles Leclerc. “Tire management will be crucial, and the situation is still not entirely clear. But we are closer to our rivals, not like in Zandvoort; it will be a battle, but I think we will be in the fight.”
The ‘tire’ battle will be crucial. From what was seen in the long runs completed in FP2, when the dreaded graining phenomenon occurs, the drop in performance is rapid, so it will be crucial to prepare for the race with a flexible strategy open to various scenarios.
At Zandvoort, Ferrari was ready, capitalizing on Charles Leclerc’s third place. At Monza, the technical package might allow for more, provided everything is done perfectly because the margins with Mercedes, Red Bull, and McLaren are really tight.
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