Charles Leclerc claims Ferrari’s 2024 challenger SF-24 is healthier than its predecessor 

According to the Monegasque driver, The new SF-24 has improved on many of the issues seen in previous car.

Charles Leclerc claims Ferrari’s 2024 challenger SF-24 is healthier than its predecessor 

Charles Leclerc (via IMAGO)

Ferrari launched their 2024 Formula One challenger yesterday. They have redesigned the entire machine to challenge Red Bull for the title. Charles Leclerc, their star driver, reckons the new Ferrari felt better right out of the gate than the previous model. SF-23 had problems in his first four races of the previous year. He and teammate Carlos Sainz Jr. raced the SF-24 following the launch at Fiorano test track. 

Leclerc cautioned that the initial positive evaluation shouldn’t be interpreted as a guarantee that they will face far greater competition than they did the previous year. He asserted that while it might be simpler to operate a car if other teams have improved their lap times, a car that isn’t fast enough won’t be fast enough on the track. As a result, it presents significant competitive challenges.

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I remember that after the first lap last year, or if it wasn’t the first lap, it was the first three or four laps, I wasn’t really happy with the behaviour of the car. The car was very, very difficult to drive. This year the car feels healthier and in a better place.
Charles Leclerc said, as reported by racefans.net

Leclerc, during further discussions, claimed that the team was deeply inspired by the drivers’ feedback that the new car should have more peak downforce but also be more manageable at the limit than the 2023 model. He then acknowledged Ferrari’s engineer’s admirable performance so far but added that he does not wish to jump to conclusions too soon. 

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Charles Leclerc details his goals for 2024 

Ferrari’s principal objective for the 2024 season, according to Charles Leclerc, was to revert to their previous status as the grid’s front-runners. Speaking in a team statement during the introduction of their SF-24 F1 car for 2024, the Monegasque felt that many of the problems with their current car had been resolved in their new vehicle.

Carlos Sainz, Fred Vasseur and Charles Leclerc.
Carlos Sainz, Fred Vasseur and Charles Leclerc (Via IMAGO)
The SF-24 ought to be less sensitive and easier to drive and for us drivers, that’s what you need to do well. I expect the car to be a step forward in several areas and from the impression I formed in the simulator I think we’re where we want to be. This season the aim is to be front runners all the time and I want to give our fans plenty to cheer about, by dedicating race wins to them.
Charles Leclerc said.

Charles Leclerc had frequently explained to the media the understeer that was present in their car during the 2023 season. He also mentioned that the car’s balance and driveability were not always consistent. During the car’s launch, the Ferrari driver expressed his opinion that the new SF-24 had made progress in resolving those problems.

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