Ferrari tests updated SF-24 front wing in Austin, full aerodynamic package to arrive in Mexico City. Has Ferrari become the... McLaren and the MCL38 copied the SF-24?.

Has Ferrari become the… McLaren and the MCL38 copied the SF-24? Judging by the qualifying in Austin’s Sprint race, one might say so. Ferrari placed Charles Leclerc in third position on the grid with a red car that did not bring any visible innovations to the United States GP, while the Woking team took a gamble with a substantial technical aerodynamic update that did not seem to deliver the result Rob Marshall’s team might have expected, at least after only one hour of free practice.

In the document the FIA publishes every Friday before the “Show and tell,” Ferrari did not indicate any modifications to the SF-24. In reality, a wing (intended only for Charles Leclerc) appeared on the red car, equipped with two upper flaps of the same design as the version used in the Singapore Grand Prix but with a completely different construction. The carbon fiber weave was reportedly changed to favor programmed flexing that should help find a good balance between low-speed sections (maximum downforce) and high-speed ones (minimal drag).

This solution, which was at least tested during the free practice session for the United States Grand Prix, will be extended to both drivers in Mexico. Next week, Ferrari should debut the rest of the aerodynamic update package, which includes changes to the floor’s side skirts.

With only one practice session, the Scuderia did not want to risk “wasting” the latest package, doubting there would be enough time to find the ideal setup. The engineers, led by Loic Serra, preferred to evaluate the significance of the updates on a meaningful circuit, especially after three GPs (Monza, Baku, and Singapore) held on “special” tracks. The data was positive as the red car did not show the feared bouncing and found a good balance on a track that, at least on paper, doesn’t suit the SF-24’s characteristics.

It’s no secret that, aside from the uncertainties that emerged in SQ3, the red car gave good indications with the medium tires, showing positive simulations that perhaps even exceeded expectations back at the factory. Ferrari, therefore, approaches the Sprint race with confidence, hoping to go on the attack during the 16-lap distance, given that Austin allows for overtaking…