Ferrari set to introduce a crucial upgrade at Budapest to solve bouncing

Following its recent woes induced by a thorough upgrade package, Ferrari is set to introduce a crucial development at this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix, bringing an altered floor to the SF-24.

Ferrari kicked off the season in encouraging fashion, establishing itself as the field-leading Red Bull’s main contender. However, as the year progressed, the Scuderia appeared to have fallen behind McLaren and Mercedes.

The main issue was presented by the Scuderia’s latest upgrade package that was introduced at Barcelona. Although the revised floor and engine cover improved the downforce level of the car, it induced an unintended effect in the form of bouncing. The SF-24 has suffered from severe bouncing at Barcelona, Spielberg and Silverstone - the three rounds where the new package was used.

So severe was the bouncing that the Scuderia sacrificed the Silverstone round to run the different specifications on the opening day with Carlos Sainz using the Imola-spec SF-24 and Charles Leclerc testing the Barcelona-spec configuration.

With Leclerc complaining about severe bouncing in the high-speed corners of the Silverstone track on Friday, Ferrari elected to bring the weekend with the older specification on both cars to an end.

Team boss Fred Vasseur has revealed that the Scuderia will equip the SF-24 with an upgraded floor that should reduce bouncing.

“The week’s break prior to Hungary has allowed us to take an in-depth look at all the data from the past three races. We found that our latest upgrade package did indeed bring the expected benefits in terms of aero points.

“However, it also had side effects that meant the car was actually more difficult to drive. We have worked hard in the factory and so in Budapest we will bring an evolution of the floor which we reckon will give the drivers a car that will allow them to drive to the best of their abilities.

“This season, we are fighting to the nearest hundredths of a second and so Charles and Carlos must be able to give of their best and have confidence in the car if they are to get the best possible results in the race, but even more importantly, in qualifying when they need to push the car right to the limit.

“I am confident the package we bring to the Hungaroring will allow us to be frontrunners” concluded Vasseur.