'Ferrari working on catching Red Bull: first update imminent'

In qualifying, Ferrari secured front-row spots twice in 2024, but in the races, the Italian team haven't been able to challenge Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez's Red Bull Racing. At least in Maranello, they are convinced they are on the right track. With further updates to SF-24, Ferrari aims to further narrow the gap towards the Austrian team. Updates are already expected in the near future.

According to the Gazzetta dello Sport, Ferrari plans to apply the first updates to the car as early as Suzuka. Another upgrade of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz's car is planned to follow in Imola - three races later. Both upgrades are reportedly aimed at increasing aerodynamic load.

Ferrari struggles to warm up tyres

To narrow the gap with Red Bull's RB20, developments are first focused on solving the problem of slow tyre warm-up. In Jeddah, it was clearly revealed that the Ferrari is struggling with this. In fact, it took two full laps to get the tyres to the ideal temperature, even though the car's balance was fine.

A new floor is due at Suzuka, revised in the form of the Venturi ducts and side edge, with new specifications also for the wings. But the work of the aerodynamic staff, led by Diego Tondi, will be more evident at Imola. Then comes a new version of the air intakes, which bear similarities to the 2023 RB19. These intakes are narrower and slope upwards from the bottom, increasing the channel underneath for airflow passage.

Ferrari chooses to make the upgrades at two different times. This will allow the engineers to better see their effect, which should ensure better overall tuning of the car.