Charles Leclerc has rejected the idea that Ferrari had to make compromises with its 2024 Formula 1 car to address the weaknesses of its previous model. The team had high hopes for the previous season after returning to winning ways in 2022, but their 2023 car turned out to be unpredictable and prone to inconsistent performance. Ferrari made significant changes to the SF-24, which is being described as a complete overhaul, with 95% of the components being replaced. Leclerc tested the car on a virtual model and was pleased with its handling. However, he cautioned that it was still too early to make definitive judgments based on his initial laps in the real car.
Although Ferrari’s improvements allowed them to challenge Red Bull in qualifying, their race pace remained lackluster. The team secured seven pole positions but only managed to convert one of them into a victory, which came in Singapore. Leclerc acknowledged that the qualifying conditions, with low fuel and fresh tires, masked the underlying issues with the car’s performance in races. He revealed that he had provided feedback to the engineers to address these deficiencies. In the current era of Formula 1, technology plays a crucial role in improving the car’s speed by maximizing downforce and minimizing drag. However, Leclerc emphasized that external factors such as wind sensitivity and temperature affected the car’s balance and had a greater impact on race pace. As drivers, Leclerc believes they play a vital role in providing feedback to the team, as these nuances are not always evident in the data. Overall, Ferrari’s focus is on utilizing technology and engineering expertise to create a better and faster car.
Despite Ferrari’s revival last year, Sainz indicated that the team may have to sacrifice some of the strengths of the SF-23 in order to achieve a more well-rounded package. However, Leclerc has dismissed the notion that the Maranello-based squad had to compromise on development in order to produce a more compliant and consistent car. He firmly stated that there were no such compromises made. Instead, he explained that the engineers focused their time on enhancing the driveability of the car, without compromising any other area. Leclerc emphasized that this approach is simply part of the team’s working method and does not come with any downsides.
Leclerc also cautioned against Ferrari assuming that all its pressing issues have been resolved if they have a strong showing in Bahrain. He highlighted the importance of waiting for two or three races to assess the true strength of the car on different tracks. He pointed out that a car can perform well on one track but struggle on another. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the car’s performance in various conditions, including different wind, temperature, and track layouts, before making any conclusions about the season. Leclerc acknowledged that after the first race, they will have a better understanding of where they stand, but a complete picture will only emerge after multiple races.
According to the Source motorsportweek.com