In Imola, Ferrari will participate in a race with their extensively modified SF-24 car.
Ferrari’s upgraded SF-24 will be put to the test this week with the Scuderia scheduling a filming day for the chance to see if the wind tunnel data correlates into lap time.
Ferrari, the second fastest team in the opening rounds of this year’s championship, secured a spot on the podium in the first four races, alongside Red Bull.
Ferrari will use a filming day to test the SF-24 ‘2.0’
However, McLaren lost their position as the top team in China and instead solidified their place as the second-best team with Lando Norris’ triumph at the Miami Grand Prix. Norris drove McLaren’s extensively upgraded MCL38, which is believed to provide a time advantage of four-tenths of a second.
Ferrari is preparing to respond with an upgrade of their own.
“It will be a very important upgrade,” said Charles Leclerc. “It will determine how the rest of our season plays out. I’m looking forward to that and I hope that we can take a big step forward.
“This year, we are gearing up for an intense competition of upgrades, and I am excited that we will be equipping our car with new components that we hope will match the quality of McLaren’s.”
According to reports, the package is said to feature sidepods resembling those of Red Bull, with narrower radiator openings, as well as a revamped floor and updated front wing.
However, as Mercedes have encountered correlation problems this season, Ferrari aims to prevent a similar setback. They plan to thoroughly test their upgraded car at their Fiorano circuit during a private filming day before proceeding to Imola.
According to formu1a.uno, it will be a “decisive appointment” for the “substantially” modified SF-24.
According to the report, Frederic Vasseur and Enrico Cardile are set to repeat their strategy from 2023, where they conducted a test day prior to the Austrian race to evaluate the performance of the SF-23’s new front wing and floor. This year, the report suggests that they have once again scheduled a testing day to introduce the upgraded SF-24, version 2.0, to the track.
Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz will each have the chance to drive the Cavallino single-seater for 100km, totaling 200km, in Fiorano between Thursday and Friday.
The Italian publication mentioned that the car has been performing well so far. However, they also stated that the first edition SF-24 has now reached its maximum performance and requires an update after a significant period of learning and effort by the technicians who have fully utilized its potential.
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Fred Vasseur downplays ‘game-changing’ Imola upgrades
Despite believing that the Scuderia will be competitive in Imola, Ferrari team boss Vasseur has dismissed the notion of referring to their upcoming upgrade as a game-changer.
“Incontestably, we shall undoubtedly strive for triumph in Imola. However, I am of the opinion that the disparity, which fluctuates depending on the track and compound, holds more significance than a mere update,” he expressed his thoughts in Miami.
When asked about Ferrari’s acceleration in development for the upcoming race in Italy, the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, he responded, “No, our aim is not to bring something to Imola just because it’s in Italy. We are actively pushing for development and producing parts as soon as we are prepared.”
Being in close proximity to the factory, Imola assists in the delayed release of parts. However, Italy has no direct involvement in this matter.
Furthermore, regarding this matter, it is not necessary for us to anticipate a revolutionary change, but rather, the situation is so favorable that we can effectively enhance our performance.
He further stated, “This presents us with a chance. If we take another small step, I believe we will truly be able to compete with Red Bull consistently every weekend.”
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