With the SF-24, the traditional Italian racing team wants to break the dominance of world champion Red Bull and driver Max Verstappen. “The new car looks great,” enthused Charles Leclerc. “The car is definitely a step forward.” After the positive impressions in the simulator, it now depends on how the car behaves when the tests start in Bahrain next week, said the 26-year-old.
“I can’t look into the crystal ball,” emphasized Ferrari team boss Frédéric Vasseur, who wants to build on the second half of last season. “We have to collect more points, we have to be more efficient, that was certainly the biggest weakness last year.” Every team will have ups and downs in this long season. It’s then a matter of not overreacting, he also said in the direction of the Tifosi.
Easier to drive
Ferrari says the new red race car, which also features slightly more yellow and white trim than the previous model, is easier to drive and behaves more predictably. How good the SF-24 is will become clear on the first Grand Prix weekend at the latest. The season starts on March 2nd with the Bahrain Grand Prix.
In addition to Monegasque Leclerc, Carlos Sainz will start in the second Ferrari. The 29-year-old Spaniard clinched the only victory for the Scuderia last year and thus also ensured the only victory by a non-Red Bull driver. After the coming season with a record number of 24 Grand Prix, Sainz will have to vacate his cockpit; from 2025, record world champion Lewis Hamilton will drive for Ferrari. The 39-year-old Brit presented the German factory racing team’s new racing car with Mercedes on Wednesday, and Verstappen unveiled the new Red Bull on Thursday.
