The world of Formula 1 is no stranger to unexpected turns and surprising developments. This time, it’s Ferrari that finds itself at the center of discussions after attempts to enhance the SF-24 car didn’t go as planned. A significant element of Ferrari’s 2024 season strategy, the new floor upgrade, has sparked debate within the racing community, leaving former Ferrari engineer Luigi Mazzola questioning its impact.
Ferrari has been on a roller-coaster ride this season. Despite some podium finishes, the team has found itself lagging behind competitors like McLaren and Mercedes. When McLaren introduced their upgraded MCL38 at the Miami Grand Prix, Ferrari countered with its own update during the Imola race. However, that upgrade, particularly the new floor, hasn’t delivered the desired results.
Mazzola points out that the modifications have caused more harm than good. “Ferrari is again the fourth force, clearly something went wrong in the developments,” he noted. The upgraded floor aimed to provide additional aerodynamic load but resulted in issues such as reintroduced porpoising during high-speed corners. This recurring problem has prohibited the team from fully exploiting the potential of the car.
While Carlos Sainz managed to secure a third-place finish at the Austrian Grand Prix, the result was largely due to the misfortune of others, including a crash that took out key contenders like Max Verstappen. Beyond a lucky break, the underlying problems persist, with the upgrades failing to yield a tangible advantage on the track.
Team principal Fred Vasseur remains cautious in labeling the situation an outright problem. As he remarked, “The word issue is a big one.” He emphasized that improvements were made between weekends, yet admitted that the car still faces challenges. Vasseur’s perspective hints at a subtle acknowledgment of the ongoing struggle to find a balance between car modifications and performance expectations.
As the racing season unfolds, Ferrari faces an uphill battle to reclaim its title as a leading force in Formula 1. The new SF-24 floor upgrade, rather than catapulting the team ahead, has instead become a focal point of criticism and concern. Moving forward, Ferrari must reassess its strategies and make key adjustments to overcome the challenges posed by its latest enhancements.
