In Barcelona, where Leclerc retired, we saw one Ferrari completely different in the balance and setup of the car between Friday and Saturday. During free practice 1 and 2, both drivers found themselves very comfortable with the driving style of the car, more loaded on the rear and with a "brake balance" shifted to the rear. In situations where there is a lot of tire grip, it allows you to go very fast even with two different riding styles.
The Saturday Change
On the contrary, during Saturday's day, after the setup changes due to anomalous tire wear during the race pace simulation, Sainz complained of not having a feeling with the F1-75. Since the beginning of the season, the driver has complained of a driving that is too oversteerable for his liking. This analysis is very similar to what Vettel did in 2019, when he complained about fluctuating performances and the difference in performance with his teammate. Sainz is in a similar situation and has said several times this season that last year's car followed his driving style much more than he does. A more understeering car, while this year's one follows the driving style of Leclerc, who prefers oversteering.
Understeer versus oversteer
What is the difference between understeer and oversteer? In short, we speak of understeer when, as the steering wheel angle increases, the single-seater tends to corner less and widen its trajectory. This does not allow the pilot to reach the apex point. On the contrary, we speak of oversteer when the single-seater tends to bend more as the steering wheel angle increases. For this the pilot must make corrections to stay on the trajectory.
The F1-75 on Saturday, to try to avoid overheating and therefore slipping of the rear tyres, he shifted the brake balance more towards the front and the car became much lighter at the rear.
Precisely for this reason, Leclerc made a mistake on his first attempt in Q3 and then spun entering turn 14, losing the rear. When you have a balance that makes the car oversteer it is much easier to lose the rear when entering. Similar examples, with different cars, are for example Vettel's spin during 2019. Precisely for this reason, as can be seen from the image, Leclerc was able to open the steering wheel first and give the gas before Verstappen, so as to have a better exit and greater traction .
What do we expect for Monaco?
On the Monegasque circuit I expect a very competitive Ferrari fighting for victory. Right behind Red Bull slightly more understeer and then Mercedes who will not be able to keep up with the other top teams. Sainz should be able to maintain a more qualifying set-up by making the F1-75 more understeer. It should also be remembered that the asphalt in Monaco is not very abrasive and it is almost impossible to overtake in the race. The values on the field will be similar to those of Barcelona, also because the teams will not bring any upgrades.
Leclerc will have to sReplace the MGU-H and turbocharger, damaged. At home they managed to save the thermal part and the MGU-K of power unit 2 of the Monegasque, who retired to Barcelona on Sunday. The reasons are linked to the too high temperature in the MGU-H, so as to send the engine into protection and having to retire. It was a very unfortunate breakdown for Leclerc. This was not a material manufacturing issue or a reliability issue, but a problem generated by unspecified external causes.
This is what we know right now about what's new from Ferrari for Monaco and on the difference in driving styles between Leclerc and Sainz.
