Ferrari SF-24: Maranello engineers have found answers they were looking for in F1 testing. The feedback from the drivers is also in line with the expectations of the Ferrari technical area .

The Ferrari SF-24 proves to be a solid car. On the second day of testing in Bahrain, the Italian cars shine in the time charts both in the morning and in the afternoon when Carlos Sainz fitted the soft C4 tires. Beyond the absolute performance value, the Prancing Horse’s car appeared very consistent in long runs, a reassuring dynamic even if the quality of the times is yet to be verified.

It’s not time for comparisons with the competition but with themselves for the protagonists. There are too many variables to define the on-track values in sessions that take place in changing environmental conditions. Nevertheless, 12 months later, the faces at Ferrari seem considerably more relaxed, recalling how the performance of the SF-23 was a cold shower for the drivers and engineers of the historic Maranello-based team.

The hiccup due to bad luck couldn’t be avoided, hitting the red car while Charles Leclerc was at the wheel. The cover element placed at the entrance of turn 11 was lifted by the passage of Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes W15. The restoration operations forced the race direction to conclude the morning session with just under two hours remaining.

The setback required the replacement of the floor on SF-24 number 16. However, Charles and his colleagues were able to make up for the time spent on the circuit maintenance to secure the entrance to the fast turn 11, as the International Federation decided to “credit” extra time.

Ferrari SF-24, Charles Leclerc: Comforting feelings, but Red Bull still seems ahead
The Monegasque driver stated that, like every year, it is too early to understand the potential of the red car compared to competitors. Too many variables and different work programs make it impossible to precisely define the balance of power. The good news is the drivability of the car, judged significantly better than last year. Charles recalled how difficult it was to find a direction in 2023 because they did not understand the behavior of the SF-23.

“We entered the corner and had extreme oversteer or extreme understeer, which was a big problem. This year the car is not like that, which is a better starting point,” said the driver from the Principality of Monaco. According to Charles Leclerc, better handling will significantly help express more solid performances in long runs during races.

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Good feelings are also related to tire degradation, where the new red car seems to be a big step forward for the standard-bearer of the Prancing Horse. Despite the positive feedback, Charles Leclerc fears that Red Bull, the absolute dominator of the last season, may still remain the benchmark for all competitors: “My initial feeling is that unfortunately Red Bull remains quite ahead, and yesterday they did impressive lap times. This is just my feeling, not looking at lap times and data.” Excessive caution or healthy realism on the part of the young Ferrari ace?

Ferrari: Enrico Cardile’s moderate satisfaction with the performance of SF-24
Similarly, the technical director of the red team, Eng. Enrico Cardile, confirms that the data acquired on the track so far is consistent with simulations. We are talking about a fundamental factor to have a “healthy” baseline that responds on the track in a way equivalent to what was verified between the wind tunnel and CFD. The new CTO of the Maranello team informs that the work program is progressing smoothly, and the car is responding as expected.

The feedback from the drivers is also in line with the expectations of the technical area of the Ferrari Racing Division. The Italian engineer confirms that at this stage of testing, it is very difficult to know where a car stands. Nevertheless, in terms of driver comments, everything is well aligned. The Technical Director of the Prancing Horse admitted to a certain relief after noting the behavior of the SF-24, defining it as a good starting point.

Regarding Ferrari’s expectations for 2024, Enrico Cardile believes that the right path has been taken to compete at the top. This is despite admitting that Red Bull seems really fast. After many seasons of deafening silence, it is truly pleasant that Ferrari has a reference figure capable of providing technical impressions rather than listening to a team principal who, due to professional background and role, hardly delves into the specifics of the team’s work. So far, so good…

Source: Roberto Cecere for FUnoanalisitecnica