Scuderia Ferrari’s engineers are currently dissecting the data to unravel the “Zandvoort mystery,” where a car that performed poorly in qualifying (with Charles Leclerc finishing sixth, nearly a second behind Lando Norris’s pole time) became highly competitive in the race (the Monegasque driver finished just 2.5 seconds behind Max Verstappen, who came in second for Red Bull).
In Formula 1, there are no real mysteries, and tough questions require clear answers. A neglected simulation detail during the challenging practice sessions, analyzed overnight between Saturday and Sunday, may have allowed Ferrari to optimize tire performance, unlocking the SF-24’s true potential.
Finding the right balance is a delicate process that only McLaren seems to have mastered, turning the MCL38 into a “universal” car that adapts to all track characteristics. This has allowed them to implement upgrades that work immediately, while Ferrari, Red Bull, and Mercedes have struggled with compatibility issues that have slowed their development.
Ferrari approaches Monza with renewed confidence after tackling the Dutch Grand Prix without new upgrades, as the preparations weren’t completed in time. At the “Temple of Speed,” the team will introduce a low-drag aerodynamic setup and debut a new floor designed to eliminate the bouncing issues at high speeds and through long, sweeping corners like the Parabolica (now known as Alboreto).
The Italian Grand Prix kicks off a sequence of three races (Monza, Baku, and Singapore) where the SF-24 is expected to perform well, potentially turning around a season that has so far fallen short of Maranello’s expectations.
The new floor, featuring modifications to the Venturi channels and floor area, should allow Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz to fight for top positions at Ferrari’s home circuit, which now boasts a completely resurfaced track and a slightly redesigned Prima Variante chicane.
Meanwhile, calibration work continues in Ferrari’s wind tunnel in Maranello following the installation of a new moving belt during the summer break. The hardware upgrade took 15 days, and it will take a similar amount of time to fully optimize the software.
With the new moving belt, Ferrari can improve the quality of wind tunnel tests by bringing the 40% scale model closer to the ground. This enhancement allows Diego Tondi’s aerodynamics team to conduct more comprehensive tests, including evaluating the car’s performance with increased steering angles. A more detailed aerodynamic map should help design a car that is less sensitive to wind gusts.
September will therefore be a strategic month for Ferrari, as the team led by Fred Vasseur measures its ambitions for the final part of the 2024 Formula 1 season and prepares to potentially welcome Lewis Hamilton into the fold.
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