The penultimate event before the summer break is in Budapest, as Ferrari struggles through a difficult phase. Significant changes are underway in Maranello, with Enrico Cardile officially leaving SF. The technical office is now in the hands, at least officially, of Frédéric Vasseur. However, the most important figures from each macro department are tasked with directing the necessary corrective changes to the SF-24. It is also crucial to establish the necessary foundations for 2025.
Ferrari faces an important decision this weekend. They must elect between using their Spanish GP upgrades, or reverting to their Imola-spec car. As the Team Principal himself said:
“There are different solutions for bouncing: some make you lose performance, others don’t, and we want to direct ourselves on the second path, but it takes time. Until then, we will have to use this package to the maximum possible.”
LOTS OF INTERNAL WORK IN PREPARATION FOR BUDAPEST: PRIORITY TO THE NEW PACKAGE BUT THERE WILL STILL BE A “PLAN B”.
The one-week stop before leaving for Hungary was very important from a technical point of view. The Maranello-based team have spent time going over the data and comparing the different specifications.
In Hungary, a high-downforce track, Ferrari’s technicians aim to use the Spain-spec floor, coupled with the more tapered sidepods. In the last few events, Fred Vasseur’s drivers have complained about losing the car’s previous harmony in balance.
Prior to the British GP, it was Carlos Sainz who suggested returning to the previous SF-24 specifications. Sainz thought taking a step back and conducting comparisons would be useful.
Leclerc is not convinced by the Spanish GP upgrades either, although the Scuderia must optimise what they have available,
A BETTER FERRARI IS EXPECTED IN BUDAPEST: NOT IMPROVING THE TREND IN HUNGARY WOULD BE A TECHNICAL DRAMA
Ferrari will be expected to perform well in Hungary, since the circuit should suit their needs. More specifically, Ferrari’s latest upgrades are also ideal for a low-speed venue like the Hungaroring.
In recent events, Ferrari have also struggled slightly with longer corners. However, the nature of the Hungarian track should help mitigate this weakness.
Ferrari gathered some important data from their data collection in Silverstone. Leclerc’s Spain-spec updates were faster for the majority of the lap than Sainz’s Imola-spec. However, he lost all this time in the Copse, Maggots-Becketts and Chapel sections.
The Monegasque was instead dominant in the slow sections, slightly more competitive in the medium ones, and, in fact, much slower in the fast sections.
This is why, if there is also bouncing in Hungary, it would be a technical concern. The Hungaroring is not a Monaco, but it is still a track from which Ferrari expects to improve the trend of the last races.
