F1 Ferrari: has SF-24 car found its balance with aero updates introduced at Monza?

F1 Ferrari: has SF-24 car found its balance with aero updates introduced at Monza?. Ferrari's victory at Monza brings the updates on the SF-24 back into focus.

At Monza, Ferrari’s updates worked, with the SF-24 once again reigning in Formula 1. Charles Leclerc’s victory in the Italian Grand Prix ends a drought that had lasted since Monaco, marking his first win of the season following his triumph on the streets of Monte Carlo. After a difficult summer, which saw the Prancing Horse’s car lose momentum following the Barcelona updates, the performance at the Italian Grand Prix is a decidedly positive sign.

Ferrari returns to victory, and it does so in the most important race of the Formula 1 season. Winning at Monza, for the Maranello team, is worth as much as (if not more than) a World Championship, and having done so thanks to masterful strategy and driving makes the victory even sweeter. But the 2024 Formula 1 championship isn’t over, and the next two rounds, in Azerbaijan and Singapore, could be crucial for a potential comeback in the standings.

In the meantime, the SF-24 seems to have regained its lost brilliance, certainly thanks to Ferrari’s all-in approach on updates. Significant modifications were made to the Venturi channels and fences, as well as tweaks to the structure at the front of the floor, all upgrades present in the new floor design. When adding the important innovations also introduced in the diffuser area, one can grasp the extent of the aerodynamic package.

While these modifications may be significant with a view toward 2025, Ferrari team principal Frédéric Vasseur remains cautious about the track feedback: “It’s difficult to understand the impact of the updates on a track like Monza,” he explained to journalists in the paddock, including F1inGenerale reporters. “We go on track with a very different configuration compared to the rest of the season.” – the French manager pointed out.

According to the Ferrari team principal, every detail can make a difference, especially in the most intense sessions. In any case, the race performances are much more related to tire management by Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, which allowed Ferrari to attempt the single pit stop strategy.