Monaco GP telemetry: Ferrari SF-24 optimizes traction and manages tires perfectly

Scuderia Ferrari takes pole position for the 2024 Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix with Charles Leclerc. A top performance from the all-red F1 team, expertly managed by the Monegasque driver. Second on the streets of Monte Carlos is the McLaren MCL38 of Oscar Piastri, who potentially could have taken pole position, while third is the other SF-24 car of Carlos Sainz, who was also capable of fighting for pole position despite a rather difficult start to the Monaco Prix Prix weekend. Fourth is Lando Norris, who was somewhat lackluster. Fifth is George Russell, who puts his car ahead of Max Verstappen’s Red Bull, which struggled with tire management and this time was betrayed by an eagerness to overdo it. Through GPS data, we can analyze in detail the magic performed by Charles Leclerc, examining the three fastest cars.

Just as on Friday, the historic Mercedes team showed good hybrid energy delivery on the first straight, allowing George Russell the highest speed before turn 1. The English driver also favored the exit phase, thus being able to get on the gas earlier and with a lower steering angle, resulting in better traction towards the casino area.

Charles Leclerc, on the other hand, was more focused on delaying the braking phase with his Ferrari and, despite not having a very high speed in turn 1, at the Sainte Devote Corner, still managed to gain overall in the turn balance. The updated SF-24 single-seater tries to use the entry phase to build a good advantage by exploiting the solidity of the front end. George Russell is the fastest in the first sector, also thanks to a different approach to turns 3 and 4. Like with turn 1, the Englishman anticipates both braking points and reaches 100% throttle before his rivals, carrying more speed onto the straight.

F1, Monaco GP S2: Ferrari sacrifices minimum speed but favors traction

In the slow corners that open the central sector, a completely different driving style is noted between Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri compared to George Russell. Although the average throttle percentage is quite similar among the three drivers, Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc delay the braking phase, consequently postponing the throttle input. However, from the delta collected from the telemetry data, it is evident that car number 16 shows the best style, gaining ground over the rivals. The poleman was driving a more composed car in terms of traction, compensating for lower mid-corner speeds.

Exiting turn 8, George Russell was once again the most skillful on the accelerator pedal, but like the stretch leading to the Casino, Charles Leclerc used the hybrid boost to reach a higher speed than the other two drivers. At the harbor chicane, Oscar Piastri delayed his braking excessively, resulting in a worse exit, while Charles Leclerc took a different approach to turns 10 and 11 compared to the other two drivers, initially reducing the throttle percentage, thus delaying the braking, but without losing in terms of minimum speed.

F1, Monaco GP S3: Leclerc pulls ahead at the Rascasse

Data from the last sector shows that the poleman conserved his tires very well, maintaining grip until the end of the lap compared to his rivals. In the third sector, George Russell and Charles Leclerc took a more conservative approach at the entrance compared to Oscar Piastri, who maximized performance under braking, sacrificing traction. Scuderia Ferrari made a significant difference at the Rascasse. Compared to turn 16, where George Russell and Oscar Piastri had a similar style, the home driver delayed the braking and was more skillful in using the throttle.

We know how the rear tires after a lap in Monaco are highly stressed by the continuous traction phases. In the last two corners, however, it seems that Charles Leclerc was able to demand more from his red-banded Pirellis, which he managed slightly better throughout the lap. In turns 18 and 19, Charles Leclerc went on the accelerator similarly to George Russell, while still carrying a higher mid-corner speed.

The first session of the Monaco Grand Prix concluded with Charles Leclerc ahead of his rivals. Now the historic Maranello team must not waste the great opportunity at hand and must capitalize. The Monegasque driver meticulously managed the compounds throughout his final push lap, making the most of the Ferrari power unit that was replaced at the last moment. In short, no mistakes are allowed, using a perfect race strategy to allow the home driver to achieve the greatly desired goal of taking pole position for the Monaco Grand Prix.