Carlos Sainz has suggested that Ferrari has incorporated some groundbreaking elements into their 2024 Formula 1 car that are not immediately apparent but will undoubtedly enhance performance. Despite Sainz securing the only victory outside of Red Bull last season in Singapore, Ferrari finished a distant third in the championship, trailing Red Bull by a staggering 454 points. In an attempt to regain their competitive edge and challenge for regular wins this season, Ferrari has introduced a “revamped” concept with their SF-24 challenger. Sainz acknowledges that while the team drew inspiration from rivals such as Mercedes, Red Bull, and Aston Martin, they have also implemented their own unique solutions. According to Sainz, Ferrari’s engineers have innovated in ways that are not visible but are certain to provide a performance boost.
Enrico Cardile, Ferrari’s Technical Director, supports Sainz’s assertions and emphasizes that the team’s development direction focused on creating a more manageable car compared to its predecessor. Cardile states that Ferrari took a distinct approach and conducted extensive research throughout the previous year to comprehend how drivability impacts aerodynamics. While Cardile cannot comment on Red Bull’s target setting, he affirms that Ferrari explored various options and settled on the current design as the optimal means to achieve their own objectives.
Sainz also mentions that many teams have opted to expose carbon on their cars this season in order to reduce weight by minimizing paint usage. However, Ferrari appears to have confirmed earlier reports that they have reached the minimum weight limit with a revised design that minimizes the amount of uncovered carbon. Sainz acknowledges that weight reduction is a priority for all teams, and Ferrari has taken measures to accomplish this.
Both Sainz and Charles Leclerc had the opportunity to test the SF-24 at Ferrari’s Fiorano test track prior to the commencement of pre-season testing in Bahrain on February 21.
According to the source motorsportweek.com
