Ferrari reveals change that made SF-24 more consistent

Last season of Formula 1the pilot duo from Ferrari had to focus efforts on tire management. This was made difficult by the car’s inconsistent and unpredictable behavior. This year’s car, SF-24, proved to be more predictable. The Ferrari boss, Fred Vasseursaid tire management is the main improvement made by the team compared to 2023, rather than overall speed.

“We’ve taken a big step forward,” he said. “Maybe at one-lap pace, it’s true that we were nowhere last year at one-lap pace. But I think we’ve made a big step forward in terms of consistency between the two compounds. Between one stint and the next, the car is very easier to drive.”

“Much easier to read for our pilots as well, and by the way, much easier to develop. And that’s probably the biggest step we’ve taken compared to last year, having something that we can’t easily manage, but at least having a good reading of the car at the beginning of the weekend.”, said the Ferrari boss.

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-24, Oscar Piastri, McLaren MCL38

Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images

Vasseur also says that drivers are now better able to look after their tires during a race.

“What is true is that last year the main problem was the fact that the car was very difficult to drive in the race. So you had to take a step [no ritmo], made mistakes, damaged the tires. And then it’s kind of a negative spiral.”

“This year, I think it’s a lot easier to read them, know where the limit is and stay a little bit under. And when it comes to tire management, it’s much, much easier. They’re much more in control than last year, when they were a bit in survival mode and, as a result, you run out of tires very quickly”, concluded Vasseur.