The engine freeze limits major developments. However, Ferrari seems to have intervened, making some updates to the power unit and introducing innovations in packaging.
The introduction of ground-effect cars has brought radical changes to power units. Since 2022, teams have been able to refine reliability and electrical components through tokens. In Ferrari, the latest engine development came towards the latter part of the championship with an innovation in the ERS. During this winter break, nearing its conclusion, Ferrari has diligently worked on the power unit with various updates and innovations in packaging.
The arrival of the new Ferrari is drawing closer, increasing curiosity about the upcoming red car. Work on the SF-24, as we can now call it, has been underway for some time, with only the final details remaining. Weight has been a crucial focus, extending to the paint. The color, following tradition, will be red, with possible touches of yellow or white, all in a matte finish. A fundamental move to save every gram on the scale. The graphics are expected to align with those on the SF-23, featuring visible carbon and a painted upper part of the body.
Essentially, the SF-24 will undergo significant revisions. As mentioned in previous articles, the chassis, side pods, hood, and many other elements will change. Despite the car not having hit the track yet, work is underway at GES on the initial updates for the SF-24. According to reports from Gazzetta dello Sport, the first aerodynamic innovations that will debut in Jeddah and Melbourne are already in the wind tunnel.
The innovations extend beyond aerodynamics; the technicians led by Enrico Gualtieri have worked extensively on the power unit. Despite its freeze, there is ample room for development. The work at the test bench, combined with simulator work, has allowed engineers to enhance power delivery. This intervention did not compromise the absolute power of the Ferrari engine, credited with top performance. The interventions also addressed efficiency, improving the power-to-consumption ratio. The electrical component has been further refined after the last token used in Monza, enhancing the power output from the ERS. All these interventions also involved a redesign of the heat exchangers. On the SF-24, the engine and radiator packaging will undoubtedly change, with the latter expected to have a distinct curved shape.
Source: f1ingenerale
