The ultimate lap of the Singapore Grand Prix produced one of the crucial uncommon moments of the Ferrari season, sparking rumors of a attainable confrontation between Matteo Togninalli and Fred Vasseur. Lewis Hamilton, battling brake issues, misplaced over 40 seconds and was pressured to chop corners simply to achieve the end line. The British driver, who had been in rivalry for sixth place, finally slipped to eighth after a observe limits penalty and even misplaced the digital place to Fernando Alonso.
The reason for Hamilton’s dramatic efficiency drop, in addition to the overall difficulties confronted by the SF-25, was defined weeks later by Ferrari’s Head of Efficiency, Matteo Togninalli. Talking to the media within the Austin paddock, the Italian engineer admitted that the Maranello workforce had adopted a very aggressive brake administration technique in Singapore. Nobody formally confirmed the alleged argument with Fred Vasseur.
Togninalli clarifies Hamilton’s brake points
“In Formulation 1, it’s all the time a steadiness between threat and efficiency on the restrict,” Matteo Togninalli defined. “In Singapore, we knowingly approached qualifying and the race with a automotive we knew was on the sting. We had been conscious that the race would require cautious brake administration.”
“Then, because of the state of affairs and the extent of administration we needed to preserve, we fully ran out of brakes within the final 4 laps. We had been a bit too aggressive, and that was a mistake. I feel it’s proper to confess after we get issues incorrect.”
Throughout the identical race, Charles Leclerc needed to handle his brakes from the early phases, however with out the extreme points that Hamilton skilled. The Monegasque driver was in a position to preserve higher temperature management and didn’t want to cut back tempo within the closing laps.
“Our methodology was unable to foretell that this alternative can be too aggressive,” Matteo Togninalli added. “We have to enhance our instruments to anticipate what could occur. When every part is simple, you study little. However if you find yourself on the restrict, that’s once you actually study.”
“Even in Mexico, we’ll have to be extra conscious. I consider it’s a cheap strategy, a means for the workforce to develop.”
Ferrari pauses automotive growth: “Everyone seems to be shut, two tenths could make a distinction”
In latest races, Ferrari has proven a slight step again in comparison with Pink Bull and Mercedes. Max Verstappen claimed victories in Monza and Baku, whereas George Russell gained in Singapore. Matteo Togninalli revealed that Ferrari selected to halt growth on the automotive sooner than some rivals, preferring to concentrate on the 2026 mission.
“As a strategic choice, we selected to cease growth on the automotive most likely earlier than a few of our most important rivals,” he defined. “Trying on the gaps, we’re speaking about one or two tenths between P7 and P2. Everybody could be very shut, and stopping one package deal early could make a distinction.”
This admission displays Ferrari’s honesty and self-criticism, demonstrating the workforce’s willingness to study from its errors, whereas the struggle on the entrance of the grid turns into more and more tight and the margins for enchancment ever narrower.
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