At the 2024 United States Grand Prix held in Austin, eight Formula 1 teams unveiled their latest upgrades ahead of being subject to rigorous tests at Circuit of the Americas. Ferrari made an interesting decision not to unveil new upgrades at Austin; rather they used this as an opportunity to assess how their Singapore front wing modifications performed, designed to maintain straight line speed while providing additional downforce for improved cornering abilities – showing their strength on a track that had long presented difficulties to Scuderia Ferrari.
Ferrari had only ever won one race here previously in 2018, thanks to Kimi Raikkonen. Since then, however, its struggles at medium and high-speed corners has become an ongoing problem at this circuit; but 2018 marked an important turnaround when Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz secured an unprecedented 1-2 finish, showing their tire management strategy’s efficacy as part of overall race strategy.
Ferrari Shows Promising Growth in the Second Half of 2024
With an optimistic view from team principal Fred Vasseur at Monza, Ferrari embarked on a series of upgrades aimed at addressing issues such as the car’s bouncing problem. By revising the floor, front and rear wings, suspension, sidepod design, and diffusers, Ferrari looked to enhance the SF24’s overall performance. Success at both Monza and Baku hinted at the potential of these upgrades, but it was the minor tweak to the front wing introduced in Singapore that truly signaled Ferrari’s technical prowess heading into Austin.
Ferrari Dominates in Austin
Historically, Austin has presented challenges for Ferrari due to its long-radius corners, which highlighted weaknesses in previous car models. This trend was evident in the 2023 Grand Prix when Ferrari struggled with pace and tire wear. However, the 2024 race painted a different picture, with impressive performances during Free Practice and Sprint Qualifying hinting at Ferrari’s potential. In the end, both Leclerc and Sainz demonstrated superior speed, especially in medium-speed corners, allowing them to execute precise overtakes and maintain consistent lap times throughout the race.
A Bright Outlook for Ferrari in Mexico and Brazil
Ferrari’s revised aerodynamics and improvements to their SF24 floor and front wing were instrumental to their dominance at Circuit of the Americas, not only boosting team morale but also positioning them well for Mexico City and Sao Paulo rounds in which both circuits’ characteristics should play to their strengths and strengthen their chances of victory; potentially leading to additional victories that strengthen their bid for championship as the season draws near its conclusion.
Ferrari’s recent upgrades and impressive turnaround in Austin have reignited their championship ambitions and created an intriguing chapter of 2024 Formula 1.