Ferrari Falls Behind: Only Team to Record Slower Times in SQ3 Compared to Last Year
Ferrari faced a challenging qualifying session for the sprint race in Austin, Texas. They barely made it into the final round of SQ3, only to be outperformed by several midfield teams. Remarkably, one of these teams included a customer of Ferrari, indicative of a gradual shift in the competitive landscape.
Performance Contrast: 2023 vs. 2024
In 2023, Ferrari claimed victory at this very Grand Prix, despite not having the most rapid car for a single lap. Lando Norris and Max Verstappen occupied the front row, but Ferrari’s drivers managed to gain the lead at the start and secured the win. However, the situation in 2024 showcases a stark difference.
Qualifying Insights
- Only four teams were slower than last year at the Austin circuit.
- Ferrari is the only team among them that reached the SQ3 final round.
- The team was able to use the soft tire compound during qualifying.
- Alpine, which performed well in 2023, found itself struggling and failed to reach SQ3.
Both the Ferrari team and Lewis Hamilton acknowledged a disappointing performance, with Hamilton remarking on the unexpected pace issues. He noted, “Eight tenths of a second is just a mountain to climb.” Neither Hamilton nor Charles Leclerc could surpass Ferrari’s best time from the previous year on soft tires during SQ3.
Implications of Tire Choices
The choice to avoid soft tires during the practice sessions proved costly for Ferrari. Despite this, they will carry a larger supply of soft tires into the race compared to rivals like Verstappen and the McLaren drivers. This strategy meant that both Ferrari drivers experienced using softs for the first time in SQ3, as their earlier practice focused on hard and medium tires.
Final Thoughts on the Qualifying Event
Ferrari’s performance in qualifying raises questions about their pace compared to last year. While they managed a place in SQ3, the competition is rapidly closing the gap, with teams like Alpine showing potential but ultimately falling short this year. The contrasting outcomes underline the team’s urgent need to recalibrate its approach moving forward in the 2024 season.
