In an exclusive gathering at the Fiorano circuit, Ferrari unveiled the SF-24, marking the 70th contribution of the storied marque to the Formula 1 World Championship. This significant moment was witnessed by a select group of esteemed guests, while a global audience tuned in online to share in the excitement. The unveiling was graced by the presence of Ferrari’s President John Elkann, CEO Benedetto Vigna, and Vice-President Piero Ferrari. Esteemed partners and the core team, including Team Principal Fred Vasseur and acclaimed drivers Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, also attended the presentation.
“Charles, Carlos and I all agree, we must be more cinical and effective in how we manage the races, making bold choices, in order to get the best possible result at every Grand Prix. It’s often said that your fans can give you an extra gear and that will definitely be true in what will be a very closely contested championship and we are proud to know we can count on our “tifosi” from around the world.”
Fred Vasseur, Team Principal – Ferrari
The current race season, touted as the busiest in history, comprises an unprecedented 24 races. The campaign kicked off in Bahrain with a three-day pre-season test session, immediately followed by the season’s inaugural Grand Prix.
Design Philosophy and Ambition
The SF-24 represents the third iteration of Formula 1’s ground effect vehicles, heralding a departure from the design ethos of the previous two years. Under the guidance of Enrico Cardile, the design team embarked on a mission to create a vehicle that is not only intuitive for Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz to pilot but also provides consistent feedback. This design philosophy is grounded in the positive experiences and feedback from the drivers at the conclusion of the previous season. The paramount objective is to synergise the drivers’ unparalleled skills with the full capabilities of the power unit.
Aesthetic Evolution and Livery Details
Upon initial observation, the SF-24 distinguishes itself from its forerunners not only in form but also in its colour scheme. A notable aspect is the return of white and yellow, a palette choice that was well-received in Las Vegas the previous November. Yellow, a traditional secondary colour for Ferrari, pays homage to Modena and signifies Ferrari’s distinguished presence in the World Endurance Championship beyond Formula 1. This year, the SF-24 shares the same matte-finished red hue with the WEC 499P, maintaining a visual consistency across Ferrari’s racing endeavours.
“When I saw the SF-24 for the first time, I couldn’t wait to jump in and fire it up. The aim is to have a car that’s more driveable and therefore able to run at a consistent race pace, as these are the basic requirements to fight for wins. We drivers have done our very best to give the engineers precise feedback and I’m sure the workforce in Maranello will have listened to our needs. We want to give the fans something to cheer about, as they were so supportive last year, even when things weren’t going our way.”
Carlos Sainz, driver #55 – Ferrari
The SF-24 reintroduces yellow in its livery, a choice not seen since 1968, this time paired innovatively with white, marking a first in Ferrari Formula 1 aesthetics. Consequently, black is less prevalent than in previous designs, now limited to the car’s floor, bargeboards, halo, and select areas. The wheels are presented in red, accented with dual white and yellow stripes, mirroring the colors adorning the race numbers—16 and 55—rendered in the official Ferrari Sans font, now stylishly in italics.
Ferrari’s SF-24 stands as a testament to the brand’s relentless pursuit of excellence and innovation in the competitive realm of Formula 1. This latest creation not only embodies the rich heritage and forward-thinking vision of Ferrari but also sets a new standard in the synergy between driver and machine.