Source:REUTERS/ANNA SZILAGYI
[Saba Sports News] Previously, the Ferrari team announced the findings of their investigation into Charles Leclerc’s significant loss of speed in the second half of the F1 Hungarian Grand Prix, officially ruling out component failure and attributing the cause to adjustments in tire pressure and the front wing. After the summer break shutdown, Ferrari has now completed its investigation, concluding that there was no car failure. Leclerc’s issues in the final stint were almost certainly caused by adjustments made to the car during his final pit stop. Reportedly, this was related to the increased tire pressure settings Ferrari applied to Leclerc’s final set of tires, combined with an adjustment to the front wing. A Ferrari team spokesperson confirmed that the combination of these adjustments negatively impacted the car’s handling, leading to an unexpected change in balance. While Ferrari did not elaborate on the specific reasons for the pit stop adjustments, it was almost certainly due to considerations of protecting the plank underneath the floor from excessive wear – a challenge they have been managing all season. Earlier in the season at the Chinese Grand Prix, both cars were disqualified due to excessive plank wear. By increasing tire pressure, the car’s ride height is slightly raised, effectively reducing excessive contact between the floor and the ground. However, the downside of this adjustment is a reduced contact patch between the tire and the track, negatively impacting speed, balance, and tire operating temperature.