Tyre wear concerns dominate F1 teams’ outlook in Malaysia: what Ferrari must focus on
After the first day at Sepang, two critical factors emerged that will shape the weekend: tyre degradation and low grip levels. Race pace performance will be a key variable in Malaysia, and Ferrari needs to zero in on a specific aspect of the SF-26.
and on Google News to improve the quality of the articles
Good news awaits the Scuderia for qualifying, a session where the car has struggled. In a race marked by high degradation and potentially varied strategies among the top teams, starting position will be less crucial than seen at other events. One approach could be to partially sacrifice Saturday performance. Moreover, the tyre issues Hamilton experienced in Baku are unlikely to resurface here.
The crucial factor heading into the Malaysian race
Long runs during practice revealed the most striking statistic: tyre wear. Leading teams tested only soft and medium tyres, but no one was able to maintain consistent lap times. Simulation data indicates a tightly packed front-running group where tyre management and strategy will be decisive.
Ferrari began the Malaysian weekend focused chiefly on SF-26 setup. The key goal is to find the optimal configuration allowing drivers to better manage tyre wear caused by high temperatures and strong lateral forces similar to Spa and Silverstone.
Securing the right car setup can offer a vital edge by avoiding the performance drop-off linked to tyre degradation. Should a drop occur, teams could lose several crucial seconds within a few laps, impacting final results heavily.
Variables working in Ferrari’s favor at Sepang
This weekend is marked by high track and air temperatures, an environment that benefits Ferrari. The team has recently struggled to bring tyres into their ideal temperature window. The weather conditions in Malaysia will help Hamilton and Leclerc easily warm their tyres. This advantage can improve preparation laps in qualifying and the start of each race stint.
Rain is another factor that might aid the Scuderia. The SF-26 chassis has proven a benchmark on the grid, and its high downforce in wet conditions gives the drivers a clear advantage. Additionally, wet conditions would mask the car’s power deficit compared to rivals.
Insights from Sepang practice sessions
At the end of day one, Charles Leclerc topped the timesheets, closely followed by Isack Hadjar by just 0.099 seconds. Red Bull appeared strongest over long runs, as also noted by Russell.
All top teams are close in performance, but tyre trend will differentiate them. Mercedes struggled to find consistent pace, with lap times rising after just a few laps. This is partly because Brackley introduced a significant upgrade package and is still optimizing the W17 setup.
McLaren remains competitive, despite struggling in hotter conditions this year. The Woking team brought several improvements in Baku, mainly addressing weaknesses of the MCL-40. As reigning champions, they cannot be overlooked in this battle.
Follow us on social media: Telegram – Instagram – Facebook – Twitter
Credits cover image: Francesca Anna Tantone for F1inGenerale