That’s how much better the SF-24 is than its predecessor

(Motorsport-Total.com) – With 120 points from the first four races of the 2024 Formula 1 season, Ferrari has actually had the best start to a season since 2017, if you ignore the points from the 2022 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, so enabling a fair comparison of the two years.

Unlike its predecessors, the SF-24 has its strengths in racing trim, which is reflected in the points table. Tire wear problems of previous years seem to be forgotten and drivers feel more comfortable with the handling of the new car and can push harder.

“We are more stable now,” says Charles Leclerc. “Last year it was very easy for us to make small mistakes in the planning and completely wrong in the race. Now the car is more stable in the race, and that is a good thing.”

That’s the speed of the SF-24 compared to the SF-23

Comparing the race speeds in the four Grands Prix completed so far compared to last year, the Ferrari SF-24 is an average of 0.46 seconds per lap faster than its predecessor, although the conditions in the 2024 race were worse.

Compared to last year, the new Red Bull RB20 is almost two-thirds slower on average than the RB19, but this is mainly due to the soft tire selection in Australia, which slowed the 2023 Grand Prix considerably due to wear. In qualifying, Ferrari managed an average step of 0.85 seconds, Red Bull was only 0.7 seconds faster in this discipline.

“We have made a big step forward compared to last year, especially in terms of top speed, and Suzuka is certainly a good example of this,” team boss Frederic Vasseur said with satisfaction.

“Overall, I think we’ve made a good step forward compared to Red Bull in the last four races last year and the first four races this year. Of course they’re still a little bit ahead, but that’s the goal “To put them down. pressure, and with pressure you make more mistakes.”

Tires to be worn in 2024: No team better than Ferrari

It is also worth looking at the tire wear data, the absolute Achilles heel of the Ferrari SF-23 last year. In races in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Australia and Japan, the SF-23 experienced an average tire damage of 0.071 seconds per lap.

This season it is only 0.062 seconds per lap, although as already mentioned the conditions were worse in 2024. In Australia and Saudi Arabia in particular, the average tire wear was higher across the field this season than it was last year. So far they are the least worn out team.

“We have improved the car exactly in the areas we wanted to improve it,” Carlos Sainz says happily. “Still, in places like Suzuka we are not as fast as Red Bull, which is the goal. But once we have a good improvement of the car going in the right direction, hopefully we can get close.”

“But we have improved everywhere, especially in terms of race pace. We also now have more strategic flexibility, which we didn’t have last year. This means I can move forward in the race and I don’t have to constantly look in the rear-view mirror to to continue with strategies and then overtake people, which was not possible at any time last year. So I am happy and I am enjoying the race more.”

Red Bull is already ahead of Ferrari to improve the push?

But when does Red Bull have to and can Ferrari beat it time and time again? Some experts suspect that the SF-24 may already have a very good position in China, as holding the front axle will be important in the long curves of the route. An area that should suit the Ferrari, with long straights due to the powerful engine.

However, Leclerc does not believe that his team can beat Red Bull in China: “I think the picture will be the same as (in Suzuka), where Red Bull still had the upper hand. We are the second best team. And then they. Others. But McLaren wasn’t bad either.”

Ferrari still seems to have hit the jackpot with this year’s concept changes, as the car at the start of the season only represents a basic foundation that can be built upon with many updates. This also gives Sainz hope that the Scuderia will get closer and closer to Red Bull as the season progresses, although by then it may already be too late for the championship fight.

“I think they will definitely have an advantage in the first third of the season,” said the Spaniard. “By the time we get one or two improvements that allow us to fight them regularly, it may be a little too late for the advantage they can get in the championship.”