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Ferrari have announced upgrades and a Race Engineer switch for the 2024 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
The Ferrari SF-24 featured a special blue livery for the Miami Grand Prix last weekend. Next weekend, the car will be upgraded for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. (Image Credit: @ScuderiaFerrari on Twitter)Ferrari are making changes ahead of Formula 1’s seventh round hosted in their home country next weekend. Additionally, the team have recently completed an FIA-organised test in Fiorano to trial a new wet weather solution.
Upgrades for Imola
The Maranello-based outfit have seen the steps forward in performance by McLaren in Miami and Red Bull in Suzuka. Undoubtedly, Ferrari will be hoping that their upgrade package keeps them competitive.
Currently, the Italian team are P2 in the Constructors’ Standings with 187 points. McLaren are just 63 points behind in P3, while Red Bull are 52 points ahead in P1.
In the Team Standings, Red Bull maintain top spot, and Alpine are off the mark for 2024 ?#F1 #MiamiGP pic.twitter.com/rN5IhRuqPN
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 6, 2024
However, Team Principal, Frederic Vasseur has remained realistic, keeping expectations low. As reported by Formu1a.uno, he stated:
“We are at a point in the development of these machines where the updates do not lead to a huge leap in performance”.
The Imola upgrade package for the SF-24 includes new inlets in the body and a completely new floor. These changes should bring aerodynamic efficiency and the macro-components for load and efficiency should gain three-tenths. The SF-24 2.0 will be closer to the Red Bull RB20 in certain key design features. As reported by Formu1a.uno:
“A revised bodysuit […] will be equipped with cooling vents more of a Red Bull interpretation, through the search for a different compromise between the undercut and the upper edge of the down-wash sides.”
There will also be changes on both wings. The front wing will have a minor change to the flap, and the rear wing will feature a small specification addition. Finally, Ferrari will be implementing changes to the fins:
“The fins integrated at the base of the Halo and on the sides of the cockpit […] will be revised.”
A new Race Engineer
Xavi Marcos first joined Ferrari as Charles Leclerc’s Race Engineer in 2019. He joined the Italian outfit from Sauber. On Thursday 9th May, Ferrari announced that Marcos would be stepping down as Race Engineer for the Monégasque to be replaced by Bryan Bozzi for Imola.
Organisational update:
Scuderia Ferrari HP announces that Bryan Bozzi, who has worked in the team for ten years, currently as Performance Engineer to Charles Leclerc, will now take on the role of his Race Engineer as from next weekend’s Gran Premio del Made in Italy and… pic.twitter.com/2W4zgjYxFG
— Scuderia Ferrari HP (@ScuderiaFerrari) May 9, 2024
Marcos is being moved to work on “other important company programmes.” As reported by Autosport, Ferrari’s statement reads:
“Organisational update: Ferrari announces that, as of Monday 13 May, Xavi Marcos will bring his valuable experience gained as a race engineer with the Formula 1 team to the development of other important company programmes.”
Charles Leclerc and Xavi Marcos in conversation on the starting grid. (Image Credit: Formula Uno Analisi Tecnica)Consequently, Bozzi will be stepping into the role for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix next weekend. Previously, Bozzi was Leclerc’s Performance Engineer at Ferrari. He has been with Ferrari for 12 years and a member of the race engineering team for six.
BREAKING ?| Bryan Bozzi will be Charles Leclerc's new race engineer from Imola, replacing Xavi Marcos Padros.
Bozzi has been at Ferrari since 2012 and has been a part of the race engineering team since 2018.
ℹ️ | @SmilexTech pic.twitter.com/Tths05UME1
— Ferrari News ? (@FanaticsFerrari) May 9, 2024
Featured Image Credit: @ScuderiaFerrari on Twitter