The event undertaken by Ferrari throughout the 2024 System 1 championship is basically completely different from that of the earlier season. In 2023, the Maranello staff’s engineers and technicians shortly acknowledged the automobile’s points, implementing corrective measures throughout the season to salvage a flawed venture whereas exploring a brand new route for the next 12 months. Thus, the SF-24 was designed based mostly on a brand new idea, extra driver-friendly and centered on race efficiency somewhat than the one-lap tempo within the qualifying session. The event of the 2024 automobile goals to refine a younger and technically uncooked venture, making the SF-24 more and more full and aggressive, albeit with some setbacks alongside the best way. Let’s check out the principle aerodynamic updates developed in Maranello throughout the 12 months.
A cautious begin
Within the early races of the 2024 System 1 season, Ferrari restricted itself to circuit-specific diversifications whereas making ready the primary main aerodynamic replace package deal for spring. Within the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, a medium-downforce rear wing debuted, accompanied by a single-profile beam wing that appeared solely throughout the third free apply session. Within the Australian Grand Prix, minor tweaks have been made, such because the addition of two flaps on the perimeters of the rear wing helps. Lastly, in Japan, additional diversifications have been launched for the beam wing and rear wing, together with new fairings on the rear suspension arms to higher handle airflow across the gearbox and diffuser.
Imola
After a short shakedown on the Fiorano circuit, the primary main aerodynamic improve package deal for the SF-24 debuted within the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix weekend. A brand new ground design was launched, with seen adjustments to the aspect edges. The bodywork was revised, that includes inverted aspect air intakes and deeper undercut sections beneath the sidepods to enhance airflow towards the rear and enhance native strain, shielding the ground from turbulence.
The cooling system was additionally marked by key adjustments, with a brand new structure for the retailers on the engine cowl and the sealing of the bypass duct exit behind the halo mounts. Further updates included new fairings for the rear suspension arms and tweaks to the entrance wing flaps.
Monte Carlo
Ferrari returned to victory on the streets of Monte Carlo within the Monaco Grand Prix, with Charles Leclerc celebrating a historic dwelling Grand Prix win. The end result was aided by typical Monaco-specific diversifications, similar to a high-downforce rear wing and equally loaded beam wing.
Barcelona
Lower than a month after the Imola package deal, the second evolutionary step for the SF-24 arrived with excessive hopes within the Spanish Grand Prix. A brand new ground design debuted, specializing in the diffuser and underside, with adjustments hid externally. Additional sculpting was completed beneath the sidepods, together with refinements to the aerodynamic appendages across the halo. A brand new high-downforce package deal, together with a rear wing and beam wing, additionally debuted.
General, the package deal elevated aerodynamic downforce however exacerbated the bouncing and porpoising points that had persevered for the reason that begin of the 12 months. Ferrari performed comparative checks with the outdated specification in Austria and England, in search of to deal with the problems by way of setup changes. Lastly, on the Hungaroring circuit, a corrected model of the brand new ground debuted, conserving bouncing inside acceptable limits.
Spa
As anticipated, Ferrari launched the primary diversifications for low-downforce tracks throughout the second half of the season in Belgium on the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps. The entrance wing featured much less aggressive flaps, whereas a brand new single-profile beam wing appeared on the rear. Probably the most vital replace was the low-downforce rear wing, which reappeared at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Monza
The house race marked the debut of options to the bouncing points amplified by the Barcelona aerodynamic package deal. Key updates have been made beneath the ground, with seen adjustments to the periphery suggesting evolution somewhat than revolution of the earlier design. A brand new diffuser with a keel on the finish of the central ramp was additionally launched, together with tweaks to the bodywork. Ferrari celebrated one other victory with Charles Leclerc, aided by a low-downforce package deal that included a rear wing, beam wing, and entrance wing flaps.
Singapore
On the night time race, Ferrari launched a brand new entrance wing initially scheduled for the US Grand Prix in Austin, a month later. The wing featured vital adjustments to airflow distribution across the suspension arms and ground, with extra loaded profiles within the central part in comparison with the sides. Notable work was additionally completed on the junction between the flaps and the endplate, correcting vortex technology on this space to counteract turbulence from the entrance wheels.
Austin
The brand new wing from Singapore hinted at a extra substantial package deal in Texas, however expectations have been unmet. Ferrari as an alternative centered on enhancing the entrance wing’s flexibility, contemplating the FIA’s determination to not modify deformation checks earlier than the 12 months’s finish. “It’s not that we don’t carry updates simply because we don’t announce them. What we declare are solely adjustments to exterior shapes,” stated Crew Principal Vasseur after the victorious Austin weekend. His phrases spotlight that noticed updates signify solely a fraction of the 12 months’s total improvement.
Las Vegas
Within the Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend, the Ferrari engineers and technicians performed preliminary checks with an eye fixed towards 2025. In the course of the first free apply session in Nevada, Carlos Sainz’s SF-24 automobile was geared up with a modified ground to confirm wind tunnel correlation following latest upgrades to Maranello’s infrastructure. Ferrari aimed to collect information on ground conduct at minimal floor clearance close to monitor floor contact. This ground was additionally utilized in Qatar and through Abu Dhabi’s Friday and check periods. Described by Charles Leclerc as “a special method,” the brand new specification goals to deal with persistent instability in lengthy corners, a difficulty Ferrari plans to get rid of with its first automobile for Lewis Hamilton.
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