In the last Grand Prix, we saw Charles Leclerc and Ferrari succeed in a strategy call that overall failed for other constructors. The Italian Constructor and the Monegasque were able to successfully pull off a one stop strategy that rewarded them a P3 and P4 finish in the Japanese Grand Prix.
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Ferrari Tire Degradation Issues Officially Left in the Past
Leclerc didn't have a strong qualifying session, starting P8 on the grid. After a long and quiet race for Charles Leclerc, he was able to manage his medium tires on an extended stint, opening up the opportunity for Ferrari to go in on a one stop strategy; saving about 21 seconds in the race without having to make an extra pit stop.
When Mercedes and McLaren attempted the one stop strategy, they had a bit more difficulty as they saw quite a bit of tire degradation towards the ends of their hard tire stints.
If there is any indication that Ferrari has fully corrected their major flaw from last year in tire degradation it would be seen in Charles Leclerc's race in the Japanese Grand Prix, where Leclerc quietly won the driver of the day voting thanks to his impressive tire management.
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Strong Race Pace from Charles Leclerc, But "Paid the Price in Qualifying"
Ferrari's turnaround in tire degradation could be the reason for Leclerc's usual qualifying performances being off. Charles Leclerc states that it is a little more difficult for him to get the tires in the right window for a hot lap. Being that the SF-24 is so good to the tire, it may take a couple more out laps for the tires to be at the right temperature.
Leclerc's one lap pace should not be brought into question, as he's splitting with Red Bull's Max Verstappen with each of the Grand Prix fastest laps at two each. The issue for Charles Leclerc falls within getting his tires in the right window. Another instance of this is could be seen in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix qualifying, where Leclerc logged what could've been the pole-setting time in Q2.
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Ferrari Continue to Challenge Red Bull: Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz Show Out in the Japanese Grand Prix
Had it not been for the miscue in qualifying for Charles Leclerc, Ferrari could've seen a double podium in the Japanese Grand Prix. But also, if not for the poor qualifying session, Ferrari may not have been so bold to go through with the one stop strategy that sealed them a P3 and a P4 finish.
Let us also not forget the grand race from Carlos Sainz, who was on the popular grid strategy that saw two pit stops in Japan. Ferrari applied the proper strategies given track position and swapped drivers when needed to avoid losing time or even points on an unnecessary within team fight.
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