After its unconventional choice at the Albert Park circuit in Melbourne last weekend, where a medium-high downforce rear wing did not prove successful, Ferrari has decided to adopt a solution in line with other teams for the Chinese Grand Prix. For the Shanghai event, the Maranello team has opted for a predictable configuration: a medium-high downforce rear wing, better suited to the characteristics of the Chinese circuit. Ferrari is therefore aiming for continuity, continuing its data collection work on the SF-25 and confirming the approach seen in Melbourne.
The Shanghai circuit features a combination of high-speed corners, more technical sections, and medium-slow turns, along with a very long 1.2 km straight. To tackle it effectively, a perfect balance between the front and rear is essential. Fast corners like Turns 7 and 8 require good high-speed cornering, followed by the left-hand combination of Turns 9 and 10, which penalizes cars suffering from understeer. Also iconic is the first corner, long and demanding, requiring a stable front end and good car rotation, as does the fast sequence of Turns 11 and 12, which demands both a solid front and a rear capable of following the car smoothly while ensuring optimal traction.
Which setup will the teams choose?
Finding the right aerodynamic compromise will be crucial in the Chinese Grand Prix: the long straight prevents teams from using overly high-downforce setups, but at the same time, maintaining good speed in medium-fast corners is essential. Additionally, the Shanghai circuit is known for its high tire degradation, which is why teams will aim for a medium-downforce setup to avoid excessive tire stress. Another factor to consider is the track’s evolution over the weekend, as it was resurfaced in the final stages of 2024.
The challenge, therefore, will be to find the perfect balance between cornering speed and straight-line efficiency to maximize performance throughout the weekend.
Source: f1ingenerale
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