How Ferrari minimized downforce loss with higher ride height at Monaco circuit

Ferrari Shows Promising Signs at Monaco Despite Challenges in Slow Corners

Ferrari emerged from the Monaco Grand Prix in a more competitive form compared to their recent outings in the 2024 Formula 1 season. While the team had entered the weekend with modest expectations, especially given their well-known struggles in slow-speed corners, the performance of Charles Leclerc offered a glimmer of hope for the Scuderia moving forward.

Charles Leclerc was a dominant force in all three free practice sessions, topping the timesheets consistently. Although he ultimately missed out on securing pole position and the race win, the fact that he was able to keep pace with the fast-improving McLaren duo throughout the weekend was seen as a positive indicator of Ferrari’s underlying potential.

Lewis Hamilton, despite serving a three-place grid penalty for impeding Max Verstappen during qualifying, also demonstrated strong pace, showing that a top-three finish had been within his grasp under different circumstances.

Ferrari’s Expectations Were Low—But Leclerc Delivered
Coming into the tight and twisty streets of Monte Carlo, Ferrari had few illusions about their chances. Charles Leclerc had previously pointed out that the SF-25’s weakness lies in its performance through low-speed corners, which are plentiful around the Monaco circuit. Despite this, the Monegasque delivered an unexpectedly strong showing in front of his home crowd.

Motorsport journalist and Formula 1 expert Franco Nugnes, speaking on the Motorsport.it YouTube channel, suggested that Ferrari’s surprising pace in Monaco may have had a technical explanation. He proposed that Ferrari was uniquely able to raise the ride height of their car without suffering the same downforce loss as their competitors—an advantage that played a crucial role on a track where ground clearance is essential due to the bumpy surface and tight corners.

Unique Technical Trait Gave Ferrari an Edge in Monaco
Although Ferrari refrained from introducing any major upgrades for the Monaco GP, they did bring track-specific modifications. These included a 2024-spec rear wing designed for optimal performance in high-downforce conditions. According to Nugnes, the standout factor in Ferrari’s performance was this ability to run the car higher without compromising aerodynamic efficiency.

Nugnes argued that Leclerc had likely extracted more from the SF-25 than what the car was realistically capable of delivering, suggesting that his result was significant not just in terms of points, but also for the morale within the team. He explained that while it is widely acknowledged that Ferrari struggles in slow-speed corners, Monaco’s unique layout negated this weakness to some extent. Since all teams were forced to raise their ride heights, Ferrari’s car was among the least affected in terms of downforce loss. The Italian journalist believed this demonstrated that, under certain conditions, Ferrari could compete on equal footing with rivals—something they had failed to do consistently in previous rounds.

This technical advantage could prove to be short-lived, however. With new front wing flex tests set to be enforced at the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona, teams like Ferrari may need to adapt quickly, as the effectiveness of their aerodynamic setups will be further scrutinized.

Strategic Opportunities Missed: Lewis Hamilton Could Have Pressured Max Verstappen
Former F1 driver and analyst Jolyon Palmer highlighted what he perceived as a strategic oversight by Ferrari during the closing stages of the Monaco Grand Prix. He suggested that the team missed a valuable opportunity to use Lewis Hamilton’s pace to apply pressure on Max Verstappen.

As the race approached its conclusion, Verstappen deliberately backed off in an effort to allow Charles Leclerc to close in on race leader Lando Norris, potentially destabilizing the McLaren driver’s rhythm. Charles Leclerc obliged by pushing forward, but Norris responded with excellent tyre management and racecraft, ultimately securing the win by setting the fastest lap of the race in its final moments.

Palmer emphasized that Norris’s performance should not be underestimated. He noted that the British driver had now closed the championship gap to teammate Oscar Piastri to just three points. In his view, Norris not only held his nerve under intense pressure but also showcased maturity and consistency that could become crucial as the season progresses.