The Las Vegas Grand Prix, the new jewel of the Formula 1 calendar, promises to be crucial for Ferrari. As Max Verstappen heads towards a fourth world title, Scuderia Ferrari fights with McLaren and Red Bull for a place of honor in the constructors' championship. Ferrari, long discreet on the developments of the SF-24surprises by introducing important new features, but also suffers a technical setback imposed by the FIA.
Developments to get back into the fight
Since mid-season, Ferrari played the card of optimization rather than radical innovation. The front wing originally planned for Austin had already been introduced in Singapore, and no further significant changes had appeared as of October. However, recent comments from Carlos Sainz highlighted hard work behind the scenes to make the SF-24 more competitive. The Spanish driver, critical of mid-season performances, praised the progress made by the team.
“I'm happy that the car isn't bouncing as much and that it's in a decent window,” he said, referring to a car that has become more stable and pleasant to drive. These efforts allowed Ferrari to achieve victories and aim for doubles at the end of the season.
In Las Vegas, Ferrari finally comes out of its reserve with a modified front wing and an experimental flat bottom. The latter, unique in its kind, will be tested during free night practice, in the hope of being integrated into the race. This flat bottom, which could foreshadow the solutions adopted for the car of 2025, aims to maximize performance on the fast and flowing Las Vegas circuit.
A controlled bluff from Vasseur
Frédéric Vasseur, the team principal, declared after the Brazilian Grand Prix that there would be no further developments this season. However, the introduction of the new coins in Las Vegas proves the opposite. Ferrari, looking for valuable points to catch up with McLaren, is banking on these modifications to fully exploit the potential of the SF-24.
Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren, has also recognized the threat posed by Ferrari : “They give me more headaches than Red Bull. »
FIA clips Ferrari wings
However, not everything is rosy for the Scuderia. At the request of Red Bull, the FIA has published a technical directive prohibiting reinforced metal runners under the single-seaters. These elements, used by Ferrari and Mercedes, made it possible to drive closer to the ground without exceeding the wear limits imposed by the regulations.
This ban now forces Ferrari to raise the ride height of its cars, leading to a loss of aerodynamic downforce. This technical constraint could harm performance in the last three Grands Prix, including in Las Vegas, where every detail counts to exploit the long straights and winding sections.
A risky but calculated bet
Ferrari seems to have made the bold choice of bet everything on the Las Vegas Grand Prix. With a low-drag package and targeted modifications, the SF-24 could shine on this atypical circuit. But the constraints imposed by the FIA and the uncertainty linked to the tests of the new flat bottom add a dose of risk.
Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc will have distinct approaches to free practice : one will focus on the new package, while the other will work on the racing settings. This strategy will allow Ferrari to draw quick conclusions and adjust its plan for the weekend.
Ferrari plays big in Las Vegas. Between the late introduction of promising developments and the loss of a strategic advantage, the Scuderia will have to juggle ambition and prudence. If the new parts prove effective, they could rlaunch Ferrari into the battle for first place in the constructors' championship. But if the technical constraints linked to the FIA directive prove too penalizing, this bet could backfire.
