Ferrari’s Spanish Grand Prix gamble with a major upgrade backfired in spectacular fashion, leaving the SF-24 bouncing uncontrollably in high-speed corners. The much-anticipated new parts, designed to boost performance, instead made Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz’s lives on the track miserable, with the bouncing rendering the car nearly undrivable. Confidence in the cockpit was shattered, and Ferrari had to scramble to revert to an older floor spec just to regain stability.
The sudden misstep sent Ferrari engineers, led by senior performance specialist Jock Clear, back to the drawing board. Clear recently shed light on the daunting task Ferrari—and every other team—faces when introducing upgrades. “You never truly know how a part will behave until it hits the track,” he remarked, highlighting how even minor tweaks can have massive unintended consequences.
Turning the Tide: Ferrari Overcomes Bouncing Woes
After weeks of head-scratching, it appears Ferrari has finally gotten a handle on their bouncing demons. The latest tweaks seem to have smoothed out the issue, allowing the team to focus on delivering competitive performance in the upcoming F1 races. As a result, Ferrari is bringing one final upgrade to the Austin Grand Prix before turning their attention to 2025.
But don’t be fooled by the calmer waters—team principal Frédéric Vasseur has already made it clear: Austin is Ferrari’s last shot at upgrades this season. Speaking at the Singapore Grand Prix, Vasseur acknowledged that the team is already looking ahead. “We’ve started the development of the next car,” he confirmed, before adding that every remaining upgrade across the grid could be pivotal.
In an F1 season where margins have become razor-thin, Vasseur knows that every fraction of a second counts. “The last four, five, six races have been so tight. A single upgrade could be the difference between success and failure.”
Ferrari’s Final Push Before the 2025 Shift
Ferrari currently sits third in the 2024 Constructors’ Championship with 441 points, trailing Red Bull by 34 and McLaren by 75. With the title slipping further out of reach, the focus is shifting to a long-term strategy. The Austin upgrade may be the last hurrah for 2024, but Vasseur and his team are clearly setting their sights on a resurgence in 2025.
Will Ferrari’s final upgrade in Austin be enough to close the gap? Or will the team’s focus on next year leave them vulnerable as the current season winds down? One thing’s for sure: Ferrari’s rollercoaster ride isn’t over yet.
