Leo Turrini highlights "encouraging feelings" about Ferrari SF-24 updates for Austin

After the world championship returned from the break, there were moments of disappointment in Ferrari’s Racing Department for not achieving what was hoped for and within reach during the events between Monza and Singapore. In fact, the points collected by the Scuderia in races that should have highlighted the strengths of the SF-24 came inversely proportional to predictions and the characteristics of the tracks in relation to the car. First, there was Charles Leclerc’s stunning performance in the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, followed by the defeat at the Baku City Circuit and the bitter Singapore Grand Prix, where Ferrari was aiming at least for a podium—a target compromised by the disastrous Q3 that pushed the Maranello team back and prevented them from achieving a result in line with expectations.

A series of races in which McLaren has now surged ahead in the Constructors’ Championship, tallying 112 points, ahead of Ferrari with 71, Mercedes with 54, and Red Bull with 41. This trend has confirmed what seems to be the realistic goal for Ferrari in 2024: securing second place in the Constructors’ Championship, behind the Woking team but ahead of Red Bull. A target that seemed almost impossible at the start of the year but is now within reach after an unusual summer, which for Maranello will involve a pursuit, already underway since late summer, of Chris Horner’s team. The upcoming United States GP in Austin will be another important stage in this long journey, and despite the track not being entirely favorable, Ferrari’s technical team is confident they can chip away a few more points from the reigning world champions in the fight for second place.

This result is possible thanks, above all, to the new updates coming from Maranello, which will be important not only to perform well in the final part of the season but, even more so, to lay solid foundations for 2025. Next year, the starting point of the cars will be crucial for success, as in-season developments will be minimized to redirect as many resources, both human and financial, as possible to the 2026 cars. This is the scenario outlined by Leo Turrini in his blog “Profondo Rosso,” though he chose not to make any bold claims, despite the positive signs, about the quality of the improvements or the form of the SF-24 in Texas.

“I’ve already mentioned that the end of the season matters more than one might imagine. And not just because Loic Serra is finally operational in Maranello ([…] Serra is in action right away; here’s what happens to those who have done the classics). […] Many of the developments for the six remaining races will carry over into 2025, when resources will almost immediately shift toward the 2026 regulations. […] From Austin, we need to see a competitive Ferrari, capable of managing tire wear. In the factory, the feelings are encouraging, but I’m like that child who, after getting burned, is afraid even of lukewarm water. And God knows how much we’ve… been burned by Ferrari’s updates.” – the Italian journalist pointed out.

An inevitable comment then followed on the championship sprint between Red Bull, needing to respond to at least secure the world title with Max Verstappen, and McLaren, aiming to win a world title after more than 20 years by capitalizing on a dominant car and no longer wasting points.

“There’s also one of the three remaining Sprint Races in Austin. […] Saturday’s points could become, perhaps, decisive. If Red Bull has found the fixes, Verstappen will pull it off. If the trend of the entire summer is confirmed, well, Lando Norris will take the title, provided McLaren has exhausted its ‘stupidity’ bonus.” – he concluded.