Charles Leclerc of Monaco is driving the Ferrari SF-24 car during the Formula 1 World Championship in Miami, Florida, USA. Ferrari is planning to introduce significant upgrades to their car for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix and will be using two Formula 1 filming days at their Fiorano test track to test these upgrades. So far, Ferrari has had a successful start to the 2024 season, with six podium finishes and a 1-2 finish in Australia, placing them second in the championship. However, unlike their main competitors, Ferrari has not made any updates to their SF-24 car, which allowed McLaren’s Lando Norris to win in Miami with their upgraded MCL38 car. Ferrari’s initial upgrades for this season are planned for their home race at Imola, a track where they haven’t won since Michael Schumacher’s victory in 2006. To gain an advantage and familiarize themselves with the new developments before the grand prix weekend, Ferrari has chosen to use their remaining filming days with the modified car. Images leaked from the first day of testing on Thursday show that Ferrari’s third driver, Oliver Bearman, is gaining more Formula 1 experience. Bearman, who substituted for the unwell Carlos Sainz in Saudi Arabia and finished seventh, will have a practice session in the Haas VF-24 at the Italian track during FP1. Ferrari’s track time will be limited to 200km on specific Pirelli tires, but this will still allow them to compare the on-track data with their wind tunnel simulations.
However, despite the speculation in the Italian press about the potential impact of the upgrades, Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur dismissed the notion that they were expecting a significant breakthrough. Vasseur stated during the Miami race weekend, “We shouldn’t anticipate a game-changing outcome, but given the close competition, these upgrades could enhance performance.” He also noted, “Our rivals introduced new parts this weekend, but it did not have a transformative effect.” Vasseur emphasized the importance of other factors in achieving results, such as the drivers’ performance, car setup, and tire management, in addition to upgrades and development. He emphasized, “We must not solely focus on upgrades; our on-track efforts are equally crucial.”
When questioned about the timing of the upgrades and whether it was coincidental, Vasseur responded, “The proximity of the Imola circuit to our factory certainly helps in terms of timely delivery of the parts. However, it was not influenced by our location in Italy. Once again, we should not expect a game-changing outcome, but given the tight competition, these upgrades could yield improved performance.”
Additionally, the shakedown at Imola marked the first occasion that Ferrari showcased its traditional livery featuring the blue branding of HP, which recently entered into a lucrative title sponsorship agreement. In Miami, HP’s branding was visible on the Ferrari car, garage, and team apparel, but the team presented a unique blue-infused design to pay homage to its American heritage.