HOPES RUN HIGH FOR FERRARI IN AUSTRALIA

A 1-3 result in P2 has the local tifosi fans hopeful of a winning end for Ferrari at the 2024 Australian F1 Grand Prix.

South Melbourne is a home-away-from home for the Maranello Team, with a proud Italian heritage running richly through the veins of the city. A sea of red and yellow draped from shop windows near the Turn 1 entry leaves none in any doubt as to F1 loyalties.

To see Charles Leclerc atop the time sheet only adds to the euphoria of another visit down under.

2024 has brought that intensity to an even higher level.

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You see, the Ferrari SF24 is fast, very fast.

Not just fast, but also rather nimble.

The car sits on the road much better than so many of its predecessors and it appear much less of a handful for either Leclerc or Carlos Sainz.

Sainz’ only complaint has been the bout of appendicitis that brought an early end to his involvement in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The subsequent Ferrari GP debut for Oliver Bearman has seen Sainz undergo surgery, leave Saudi Arabia a little lighter and return to the cockpit a little over 10 days later.

It’s amazing what modern day surgery, a fast car and a talented youngster can do for one’s recovery.

So Leclerc topped P2 as Verstappen waited for repairs to his Oracle Racing Red Bull RB20. At least Verstappen’s team had the necessary parts on hand, a fact not lost on Logan Sargeant fans.

What has been impressive about Ferrari, time aside, is the manner in which the car has operated at high speeds.

Whilst the likes of Mercedes AMG Petronas F1, Alpine, Kick Sauber and even the Oracle Red Bull cars, have sent the sparks flying at the exit of Turn 10, it was a less regular occurrence for either Ferrari or McLaren for that matter.

It suggests that Ferrari have more in store..

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