Fans love the thrill of qualifying, where every millisecond counts. But even the best teams face challenges. Ferrari, one of the most renowned teams in Formula 1, is still finding it hard to match the top rivals in quick laps. This struggle was clear during the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal. Let's explore where Ferrari is still losing time and what it means for their future in F1.
Analyzing Ferrari's Performance Gaps in Qualifying
The Canadian Grand Prix showcased the strengths of Mercedes, Red Bull, and McLaren, while Ferrari lagged slightly behind. Despite having a fast car in race conditions, Ferrari's qualifying performance isn't as strong. One reason for this is their difficulty in accelerating out of turns and exiting corners quickly, which is crucial for fast lap times.
Leclerc and Hamilton, both driving for Ferrari, tweeted that they lost precious time during acceleration in Sector 1 and Sector 2. This loss in these parts of the track is critical because tight corners require quick acceleration to gain speed for the next straight. The issue is not just about raw speed but also how well the car can transfer power smoothly and efficiently during these moments. Ferrari's car setup seems to struggle in providing this quick throttle response, unlike the Red Bulls and McLarens, which excel in this area.
At Montreal, top speeds were similar among the leading teams, with Verstappen reaching 335 kph, and Hamilton and Russell close behind. However, the key difference was in how fast the cars could accelerate after the corners. Ferrari's car was noticeably slower during exit speeds, putting them at a disadvantage in securing a better grid position. This pattern is consistent with past races where Ferrari's qualifying pace hasn't matched their race pace, indicating an ongoing challenge in optimizing their car settings for quick laps.
