Imola: Ferrari aero updates don’t target improvement in slow corners amid SF-24 limits. Ferrari's updates will not be enough to address the limits of the SF-24.

The updates brought by Ferrari to Imola involve sidepods, the engine cover, and the floor, but they will not be enough to address the limits of the SF-24.

The much-anticipated updates of the Ferrari have been unveiled. At Imola, the SF-24 presents itself with a completely new look, evolving the previous concepts of the floor, bodywork, and cooling. The work on the Imola package began even before the start of the championship, which is why the development could not fully account for the limitations of the car that emerged later. The objectives once again seem to be downforce and aerodynamic efficiency at high speeds, making Imola a track that is not very representative of the gains achieved.

The Work

Frederic Vasseur himself outlines the timeline behind the package debuting on the SF-24. The initial studies began before the start of the season, as also revealed by technical director Enrico Cardile, who during the presentation already spoke of an updated bodywork being studied in the wind tunnel. The work then took into account the feedback on the car during the first races of the year, without yet fully meeting its needs.

“At the moment, I would say it’s more the slow corners where we have struggled a bit more during the first part of the year,” explains Charles Leclerc. “Obviously, these updates that we bring today were conceived many months ago, so the target for these developments is not yet updated with the current limitations. However, they should definitely be a step forward.” The impression is that the Imola updates aim to strengthen other areas of the SF-24, likely performance on the straight and/or aerodynamic efficiency in medium-high-speed corners.

A small confirmation in this regard comes again from the Monegasque driver: “It’s not the ideal track to have these updates, in the sense that we might not see all the improvement they will bring. We will have to wait for other tracks to fully judge them.” The Imola track does not stand out either for high and long corners or for straights, except for the start/finish straight and the Rivazza stretch. Another reason to lower expectations: “I’ve seen numbers on the internet that are much higher than they actually are. We need to stay grounded; these will be small steps in the right direction. That said, I hope the data we expect is confirmed here at Imola.”

The Innovations

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The standout feature on the Imola Ferrari is undoubtedly the new side radiator air intakes. Similar to what Red Bull and McLaren have done, the SF-24 abandons the previous intakes with the longer lower lip, extending the upper lip this time. Simultaneously, the lower contour no longer reaches the chassis but continues downward, utilizing the vertical panel that previously bordered the lateral S-duct, merging the two sections into a single, larger air intake.

Ferrari SF-24: Evolution of the Radiator Intakes

The work done has a dual purpose. On one hand, it aims to improve the pressurization of the environment beside the cockpit, generating high local pressure which also helps to externally divert harmful turbulence from the front wheels. In parallel, it improves the channelling of airflow along the lower part of the bodywork, maintaining greater energy flow to the rear diffuser area, enhancing its effectiveness in extracting air from the floor.

The channelling towards the rear also benefits from the deeper recess along the lower sides. Overall, the redesign of the sidepods also indicates significant mechanical work done beneath the surface, redistributing radiators, electronic boxes, and cooling ducts. This is evident in the upper part of the engine cover, where a different arrangement of hot air outlets and a reshaped rear end can be observed. Additionally, the disappearance of the exit section of the old lateral S-duct confirms that the internal channel is now primarily used for heat evacuation rather than cleaning up the upper aerodynamics. This Ferrari seeks greater cooling efficiency while limiting aerodynamic drag and disturbances associated with hot air evacuation.

Ferrari SF-24: Engine Cover Before and After the Imola Updates

New Floor

While less conspicuous, the most important updates on the SF-24 focus on the floor. The entry section of the Venturi channels hasn’t seen major changes, but it is reasonable to assume that significant modifications are hidden underneath the car. However, the new design of the outer edge is noticeable. The central raise, a common feature in all single-seaters, is still present, but some tweaks to the vortex generators are visible. A bit further back, in front of the rear wheels, the floor opening seen in previous years returns, useful for generating additional downforce points when the car is at minimum ride height.

In conclusion, the Imola package cannot be considered merely a sum of individual modifications but is the result of an integrated project with a holistic vision. As always, an adjustment in setup will be necessary, a requirement that, as Fred Vasseur himself admitted, discouraged Ferrari from introducing some of the updates earlier in Miami, where testing would have been limited by the Sprint format. Curiosity about the effectiveness of the new package is high, but adverse weather could complicate the work plans for the weekend.