The era of car presentations has concluded, and just days before testing kicks off, an initial evaluation can be made. The initial question was: who will outpace Red Bull in 2024? You might think no one, but it’s not that straightforward. Here’s how Ferrari, Mercedes, McLaren, and other potential surprises might disrupt the plans of Adrian Newey and his team.
McLaren emerges as a potential early pursuer of Red Bull, given their steadfast commitment to the project. This continuity stands as a significant advantage, and the impressive performances from the previous season provide additional motivation. In Woking, they’ve yet to unveil all the innovations in the new car, likely holding some intriguing cards for Bahrain.
Ferrari, too, is poised for the battle, although they need to acquaint themselves with the new vehicle first. The SF-24 underwent significant changes compared to last year, but the initial indicators are positive. In Maranello, there’s a newfound clarity in their plan and direction. Plans for new updates are already in the works, and, notably, a well-defined development path is evident.
Concerning Ferrari, the engineers in Maranello opted to preserve certain concepts from previous single-seaters. This includes the suspension maintaining the push geometry at the front and pull at the rear. However, there’s evolution in the linkages and attachments to the suspension chassis, with particularly innovative rear components. Enrico Cardile, Ferrari’s technical director, expresses confidence in the work accomplished. Moreover, from the shakedown onward, a clear development trajectory for the SF-24 is apparent. While aerodynamically not overly daring, the team remains competitive. Ultimately, it’s the track that will render the final verdict, as explained in this video:
— see video above —
Leave a Reply