Ferrari has a secret for Monte Carlo. One of the specific features of the 066/7 power unit could be a great advantage for them on the narrow streets of the Principality.
Two of the elements of the Cavallino ‘s engine, which sparked so much controversy in Barcelona during the Spanish GP, are back in the news: those are the MGU-H and the turbo , the two elements that also caused Charles Leclerc to abandon the race. lap 27 of the race in Spain, when the Monegasque seemed headed for an incontestable victory.
Wolf Zimmermann , designer of the 6-cylinder “Superfast”, worked on a combustion chamber with very fast starting times. The Ferrari engine has very long intake ducts, capable of creating turbulent movements that favor its speed of propagation to the benefit of an increase in power and a reduction in consumption.
The engineers led by Enrico Gualtieri have managed to compensate for the lower calorific power of the current biogasoline, which contains 10% ethanol, to make the most of the fuel developed by the research center that works with Shell.
At Gestione Sportiva they worked to enhance the qualities of this innovative 6-cylinder and the intention was to extract the maximum potential from the supercharging system and also from the hybrid.
Despite the fact that there are people convinced otherwise, the 066/7 did not follow the Mercedes standards introduced in 2014, as did Honda and Renault .
The turbo, for example, is smaller than last year’s for quicker throttle response and is paired with an MGU-H that was not designed to run at 125,000 rpm, the maximum speed allowed by regulations. , but finds its maximum efficiency above 100,000 rpm, to ensure an electrical charging capacity that favors that extraordinary power at low revolutions, which is one of the strengths of the F1-75.
The 066/7 , at full power, may lose some ground compared to some of its rivals, but at low to medium power it has a superiority that is hard to contest.
The reasons why Ferrari sometimes exceed Red Bull ‘s top speed may be aerodynamic in nature. In the last part of the longest straights, the F1-75 seems to be less efficient. But that’s not a flaw, it’s just a choice.
And Charles Leclerc ‘s telemetry proves it with data: the Monegasque, who brakes very aggressively in the corners thanks to a very focused single-seater at the front, is capable of not completely cutting off the accelerator, so he begins to accelerate before Max Verstappen, allowing his MGU-H and turbo to kick into action sooner.
The positive effect is twofold, because thanks to it, Charles is able to unleash the CV of power that they have sought for so long, causing the downforce to start taking effect early, to the benefit of excellent traction.
Monte Carlo is a track that enhances the qualities of the car and the engine, so it will be the perfect opportunity for Leclerc to finally feel like a prophet at home with the Ferrari in search of his desired redemption. Or, on the other hand, also provide Carlos Sainz with his first victory in the highest category of motorsport.
