Driver Ho-Pin Tung does not rule out that Ferrari could be a threat to Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing this weekend during the first Formula 1 race of the season. A preview of the season opener in Bahrain.
After the test days, there was a lot of talk about Ferrari’s successful week. Do you also think that the team of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz has taken a step forward?
Ho-Pin Tung: “The long runs, especially on the harder tires, certainly didn’t look bad. Tire wear was one of the points where they were a bit weak in the past two years. Over one lap it was often okay. But During the race they really suffered through the tires, mainly due to overheating. That seems to be a bit better now, especially on the harder compounds (tyre types, ed.).”
“I would immediately like to make a comment, because harder compounds are more temperature resistant. It may indicate that they have still not completely recovered from the leak in that regard. Cars that make their tires work harder benefit relatively more from harder compounds In that respect, it is beneficial for Ferrari that Pirelli once again brings the three hardest compounds for Bahrain: the C1, C2 and C3.”
Ferrari made a strong impression last week at the testing days in Bahrain. Photo: ANP
Yet no one actually assumes that Ferrari can pose a threat to Red Bull. How do you view that?
“I would like to express a kind of vain hope that it will be an exciting first race of the season. There are several reasons. The first reason is that the circuit has been there for twenty years, but it has never been resurfaced. The asphalt wears out and therefore becomes more open and coarser, which in turn causes more tire wear.”
“A lot of wear makes a race more challenging to manage and more unpredictable. Especially at the first race of the season, where drivers and teams do not yet fully understand their car and package. It is the finer points that are important in tire management.”
“Leclerc and his Ferrari were within 0.3 seconds behind Max Verstappen’s pole last year, but Leclerc’s tire wear during the race was too much. Until of course his car broke down. Ferrari showed good progress during last season and year ended relatively well.”
“During the test days it seems that they have continued this and that they have also managed to further improve their Achilles heel of tire management. How much Ferrari has actually improved will determine whether that team becomes a real threat to Red Bull.”
Wind force 5 to 6 is forecast for Friday’s free practice and qualifying. What influence will this have on the driving behavior of the cars?
“Today’s cars are very sensitive to wind. This has a great influence on the behavior of the car. Especially if the wind changes at certain times, it is very annoying for a driver. Then a car becomes very unpredictable.”
“The wind can cause surprises, because some cars have more difficulty with it than others. The circuit in Bahrain is very open. A strong gust of wind is therefore rarely broken by, for example, buildings around it, because they are not really there.”
How do you actually view the circuit in Bahrain? What do you think of the track as the season opener?
“Bahrain is a circuit where there is generally quite a lot of overtaking. That always leads to fun races. The circuit is tough on the tires. And that extra tire wear often makes the race more exciting, because more strategic options are possible.”
“For example, last year we saw Red Bull as the only team to use the soft tires for both the first and second stints. But a lot can be thrown into the mix in Bahrain, because of the temperature changes and the wind. It’s a complicated race, but at the same time also a nice one.”
Bahrain GP timetable
- Thursday 12.30-1.30 pm: first free practice
- Thursday 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM: second free practice
- Friday 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM: third free practice
- Friday 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Qualification
- Saturday 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM: race
Lewis Hamilton is under a magnifying glass this season, because he will move to Ferrari next year. What do you expect from his season?
“To be completely honest, I think he will be disappointing. He is professional enough not to have his head at Ferrari right now. But knowing that he is leaving, Mercedes will not go his way in terms of developing the car concerns driving style and preferences.”
“At the same time, it is of course true that a team always benefits from getting both drivers up to speed. That is beyond dispute. So it will not be due to the support.”
“But it will definitely go more George Russell’s way throughout the season. So I think Russell will clearly beat him, especially in qualifying. There you have to feel 100 percent good with a car to push yourself to the limit without making mistakes to make.”
“This is less evident in the races, because you are mainly concerned with tire management. The enormous experience he has will help him with this.”
