The conclusion of the 2023 season marks the end of the SF-23 era for Ferrari. As the scuderia prepares to usher in a new chapter, caution is advised against labeling it a ‘revolution.’ Here’s a glimpse of what Ferrari has in store for the 2024 season.
The bitter aftertaste of the 2023 season lingers among Ferrari’s engineers and fans of the Prancing Horse. Disappointment looms with a third-place finish in the Constructors’ Championship, despite Carlos Sainz’s triumph in Singapore and the team’s seven poles. The quest for the title of the second force fell short amidst numerous challenges. Amidst the flawless 2023 symphony orchestrated by Red Bull, Ferrari stands as the lone discordant note.
Acknowledging the need to reclaim the top step of the podium, Maranello recognizes the imperative to take bold steps. The Ferrari 676, slated for the 2024 season, promises a remarkable transformation, with 95 percent of its components being brand-new compared to the SF-23. Let’s delve into Ferrari’s innovations for the upcoming F1 season.
The 2023 season: test bench for 2024
Since the Bahrain tests, the SF-23 has exhibited the flaws that defined its challenging season. Characterized by instability and difficulty in fine-tuning the setup, the car faced additional issues throughout the season, particularly concerning tyre management and their operating window. Despite these challenges, altering the entire car mid-season wasn’t feasible. Ferrari’s 675 project emerged as an evolution of the F1-75, aimed at addressing its weaknesses. Acknowledging that comprehensive solutions would require a new chassis and gearbox, Technical Director Cardile explained the limitations in development possibilities. Despite the constraints, Ferrari engineers remained resilient, using the 2023 season to make incremental improvements and gain a deeper understanding of the car’s dynamics.
Also read: F1 | Ferrari, Cardile racconta gli errori della SF-23 da non rifare nel 2024
Notably, the SF-23 underwent crucial updates during the season, with pivotal enhancements introduced in Holland and later in Japan. The Dutch updates prioritized stability over maximum load, setting the stage for subsequent developments. The positive outcomes materialized with Carlos Sainz securing a pole at Monza and clinching victory in Singapore.
Post-Zandvoort, Suzuka witnessed further advancements with a new floor, laying the groundwork for 2024. The track responses met expectations, with Charles Leclerc showcasing notable performance. Following the Suzuka Grand Prix, Leclerc secured three poles and achieved four podium finishes, signaling promising momentum for the team.
Ferrari 676 will be 95% different: here are the new features for 2024
The 2023 season allowed Ferrari to define the limits of the car and lay the foundations for the 676 project. So what can we expect for 2024? According to the latest news, the biggest changes should be seen on the rear end and chassis. Three main areas of work.
Initially, the focus of the Prancing Horse engineers was on enhancing the car’s floor, particularly freeing up the bottom flow around the rear diffuser. This involved a comprehensive redesign of the gearbox, making it notably narrower and gaining approximately 40mm in the diffuser area. The objective was to facilitate better air extraction from beneath the car, thereby reducing porpoising and ensuring a more stable and efficient performance. The increased passage section for air, compared to the SF-23, contributes to the overall improvement.
Also read: F1 | Fine del dominio Red Bull nel 2024? Secondo Todt è possibile, come quel 2005…
Subsequently, attention shifted to the side areas, where engineers aimed to augment the flow of air to the rear by introducing new shapes. This required a revision of the internal architecture, involving the repositioning of radiator packs, forward movement of control units, and lower placement of anti-intrusion elements.
While the suspension configuration remains unchanged with a push rod at the front and pull rod at the rear, notable innovations include a strongly inclined front triangle to accentuate anti-dive. This design aims to minimize the lowering of the car’s nose and restrict longitudinal load transfers, addressing one of the SF-23’s limitations—porpoising.
On the power unit front, led by Enrico Gualtieri, efforts are underway to optimize the management of the unchanged power unit from the previous season. Testing various hybrid delivery modes during the season has yielded positive results, particularly in terms of tyre management. The proven 066/7 engine, as indicated by top speed analyses, underscores its reliability in different scenarios.
Although the Ferrari 676 will distinctly differ from the SF-23, it won’t merely be a Red Bull clone. The team remains cautiously optimistic, acknowledging that only track performance will validate the effectiveness of their engineering choices. The eagerly anticipated verdict will unfold on February 13th.
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Article cover credits: Scuderia Ferrari on X
