The simulation of the Melbourne GP
There was optimism on the eve, in Maranello the trip had been carefully prepared: Albert Park has in fact always been a favorable circuit with particular characteristics, Red Bull had already lost direction in Australia. The order was to take advantage of the opportunity if it presented itself, Verstappen’s retirement made the task easier. But the calm with which Sainz led the 58 laps demonstrates the goodness of the SF-24, a single-seater that has nothing to do with the deficient one from 2023.
One of the keys to the oceanic triumph was the simulation of the Melbourne GP. In fact, the computer data coincided perfectly with that which emerged on the track from the first laps of free practice. This allowed them to put pressure on Red Bull, leading Verstappen and Perez to push in a direction on set-ups that was less solid than normal. Perez was never at the pace of the Reds (he finished almost a minute late), if Verstappen had not retired he would probably have fought with Sainz but without the superiority shown previously.
The technical secrets of Ferrari
In Melbourne, you need a very strong front end, Ferrari had it. And on tracks with similar characteristics it can go really fast. The new single-seater is predictable, easy to set up, releases engine power well and above all seems to have overcome the chronic limits of tire management. It no longer suffers from the wind and this makes preparation much easier. Red Bull will come back very strong, but you can beat them. The next GP in Japan, in Suzuka, will be a severe test.
