Scuderia Ferrari: engineers optimistic with new SF-24, aim to confirm in Bahrain

While the Formula 1 s the season gets off to a flying start, all eyes are on the Sakhir circuit in Bahrain, eagerly anticipating the only pre-season test session to be held this Wednesday. At the heart of this anticipation, Scuderia Ferrari and its brand-new SF-24, already shipped to the test site, are attracting particular interest. Maranello's engineers, armed with a cautious but palpable optimism, seem to have every reason to believe in a significant revival after a year marked by the lacklustre performance of the SF-23.

From dynamic bench testing to the two hundred kilometers covered without a hitch during the day's filming, the signals are green for the SF-24. Those with an eye on the stopwatch are already talking about a pace six to eight tenths faster than its predecessor, suggesting a significant improvement that could well change the game this season.

Optimism is also evident on the faces of the pilots and technicians, who testify significant improvements in performance and reliability of the new frame. The errors that hampered the SF-23 seem to have been corrected, offering a more coherent and potentially faster car on the track. However, caution is still called for, as it's still too early to fully judge its capabilities.

The convergence towards the lines of the Red Bull RB19, which dominated the 2023 championship, seems less marked than expected, hinting at Ferrari's own development strategy. The SF-24 stands out not only for its enhanced performance, but also for an approach aimed at make the car easier to handle in the settings and gentler on tires, thanks to a lengthened chassis and shortened gearbox.

As the Bahrain test session approaches, the time is not yet ripe for triumphalist declarations, but initial feedback offers a glimmer of hope. Ferrari, in line with the objectives of its project, seems ready to challenge the giant Red Bull and its emblematic engineer, Adrian Newey. Will the rational, measured choices adopted by the Scuderia be enough to position itself as a genuine challenger this season?

Couldn't get enough of just one SF-24... so we improvised 🤓 pic.twitter.com/Cv6CcmQF8Z

- Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) February 20, 2024