Scuderia Ferrari team is assembling project 676, a delicate phase where everything must go as planned. Beyond passing various crash tests by the International Federation, the men of the Prancing Horse are working to shape the 2024 car. The simulator provided an initial indication of the work’s quality, but validation awaits on the track for the aeromechanical updates. There’s cautious optimism that should find confirmation in February.
Meanwhile, they’re proceeding with assembling the Italian masterpiece and preparing for engine tests. This involves the installation of the latest Italian creation, preceding bench tests with the power unit 066/10. This engine saw improvements last year through component maximization. The endothermic component is potent, the best in the lot. The hybrid part is on par with Red Bull, now ensuring optimal energy recovery while containing consumption, a factor that somewhat limited performance in the first part of the 2023 season.
Reliability has been further refined, and considering the 24 races in the upcoming competitive season, Maranello’s engine experts are confident in delivering peak performance without premature replacements. The question remains whether they can tackle the long journey with just the three regulation power units. Nevertheless, this doesn’t trouble Ferrari fans, considering that using an additional unit, a fourth one, won’t alter the team’s plans.
Ferrari is also working on the future of tires with Pirelli. While waiting to validate project 676 in Bahrain from February 21 to 23, Ferrari will play a central role in the track tests for the Italian tire manufacturer. The Spanish scenario at Circuit of Catalunya will feature various Pirelli compounds, including low-activation tires without tire warmers. This three-day event will see the Maranello-based team utilizing both the F1-75 and the updated SF-23.
Official drivers Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz will participate, alternating with young drivers Oliver Bearman and Arthur Leclerc. Despite the necessary considerations about limitations, this presents a valuable opportunity to collect additional data using two different cars, while fully supporting Pirelli’s tire development program.
Being part of these tests offers a real chance through experimenting with tires operating in a significantly lower temperature window. The careful attention to this measure ensures a kind of “first taste” of the tires, useful for refining the feeling with the new coverings. Gathering such data will be crucial as it will be cross-referenced with information collected in this new “working range era,” representing the future of Formula 1.
Source: Alessandro Arcari for Formula Uno Analisi Tecnica
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