The rain significantly influenced Friday’s activities at the Canadian GP. With sudden hail and evident water patches on the track, work schedules were adjusted. In the first free practice session, drivers were able to drive for just over half an hour, and in FP2, the constantly changing track did not allow for the desired data accumulation. However, some drivers managed to put together rather interesting fast laps given the track conditions. Let’s see, in the telemetry analysis, what the standings might be after the second free practice session for the 2024 Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix.
The first part of the afternoon session saw a semi-wet track with light rain complicating the drivers’ runs. Despite a decidedly complex and risky track, teams proceeded to hit the track with intermediate tires. This first wet compound also allowed for better drying of the racing line.
Once a non-wet racing line was established, laps with dry compounds began, with most drivers on red tires. Given the low temperatures and the green track, the soft tire was the most suitable for easy warm-up. The only ones who opted for medium tires, a contrary choice, were the McLaren and Ferrari drivers. However, only the two Ferrari drivers managed to make the best use of them with a better warm-up strategy. Even the lap times, especially Charles Leclerc’s, confirm the better thermal management of the tires, with a quicker reach to the operating window.
From the FP2 fast lap telemetry, we can compare the top two on red tires with Charles Leclerc on medium tires. The performance gap between Ferrari, Mercedes, and Aston Martin mainly emerges in the straights. The most evident sections are between turns 7-8, 12-13, and the finish straight. Here we also notice a different management of the power unit, with the Ferrari being very conservative, both thermally and electrically. Despite a significant difference in the straights, an interesting data point emerges from the telemetry comparison.
In all the slow corners and chicanes of the track, Charles Leclerc with the SF-24 is much more effective compared to Fernando Alonso and George Russell. The Monegasque driver manages to keep the throttle slightly open, with rare occasions where it touches 0%. Additionally, in the direct comparison with Aston Martin and Mercedes, Ferrari immediately manages to traction better and have superior acceleration. This data further enhances Ferrari’s performance, especially considering the tire disadvantage. Also notable is the approach to the hairpin at turn 10, where Charles Leclerc is extremely effective. From the exit of turn 9, the SF-24 EVO achieves better traction and extension compared to Alonso and Russell. The same happens at the exit of turn 10, with the Monegasque having an advantage up to 280 km/h, where the conservative mapping limits his performance.
We will see in the Italian evening how the competitors’ performances will evolve, knowing that McLaren and Red Bull will rise strongly in the standings. However, Scuderia Ferrari seemed immediately competitive, with a very effective mechanical and aerodynamic setup from the first laps. This performance is indicative of the excellent correlation between the simulator in Maranello and on-track performance, allowing the drivers to adapt quickly and further refine the setup.
Source: f1ingenerale
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