Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur shared his expectations regarding the upcoming upgrades for the SF-24 Formula 1 car, set to debut at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix next weekend. While Vasseur acknowledges the importance of continuous development, he cautions against anticipating drastic performance shifts.
In a competitive landscape where teams are evolving in parallel, Vasseur emphasizes the challenges of making significant strides. Despite the proximity of Imola to Ferrari’s factory, the decision to introduce upgrades at this particular race was not influenced by geographical factors but rather by the team’s development schedule.
“While Imola’s proximity facilitates the release of parts, it doesn’t dictate our upgrade strategy. We aim to progress steadily, and whenever improvements are ready, we implement them. These upgrades won’t revolutionize our performance, but they will certainly contribute positively. We can’t expect these upgrades to change the world.”
Vasseur cites recent instances where competitors introduced new components without yielding substantial changes, highlighting the collective nature of development trends in Formula 1. In a sport where margins are slim, even marginal improvements can impact race outcomes significantly.
“Qualifying sessions often see tight margins, with small improvements making a big difference. However, success hinges not only on upgrades but also on factors like driver performance, setup, and tire management. It’s about optimizing every aspect of our performance, both on and off the track.”