Ferrari went under the radar at the Hungarian GP, with the other top teams vying for the podium positions. However, the SF-24’s lack of performance last weekend is still significant – and cause for team principal Fred Vasseur to be concerned.
Ferrari relegated to fourth-fastest team
Heading into the Hungarian GP, there were already concerns in the Ferrari camp. After another disappointing race in Silverstone, expectations were not especially high for the Hungaroring.
To be clear, the track layout at Budapest was more friendly to the SF-24 than others like Silverstone or Spielberg.
The 14-turn circuit does not put cars in a set-up window where bouncing is a major concern. In this sense, Ferrari’s biggest weakness was mitigated.
Unfortunately for the Maranello-based team, this was not enough to change their fortunes.
McLaren was again significantly faster, both in qualifying and the race. Mercedes also cemented themselves as a top-three team in Hungary, with Lewis Hamilton taking the final step of the podium.
Despite Max Verstappen’s frustrations with the RB20, the reigning Champions are still in a better position than the Italian squad.
All in all, Fred Vasseur’s personnel have a lot of catching up to do.
Races like this weekend’s upcoming Belgian GP will be more punishing for Ferrari. The team will be forced to make set-up compromises to prevent aerodynamic instability.
Considering their relatively anonymous performance at a ‘kinder’ circuit like Hungary’s, hops are not very high for the near future.
No quick fixes
The problem for Ferrari is that recovering from mistakes in the budget cap era is notoriously difficult.
A substantial portion of their allocated development spending for 2024 went into their failed Spanish GP upgrades.
This means their trajectory for the remainder of the season is limited – since they will spend the foreseeable future correcting their miscalculation.
More pressingly, their development for the beginning of 2025 is also doubtful. The emergence of such a fundamental issue as bouncing will have Ferrari re-considering their approach for next season.
With Technical Director Enrico Cardile leaving for Aston Martin, it seems fair to suggest there is an element of uncertainty.
Ferrari are still capable of stabilising themselves, but they will likely spend the beginning of 2025 on the back foot.
Some of the bigger changes necessary to prevent bouncing from re-emerging (such as a new suspension) cannot arrive until next year.
Because of this, Ferrari will experience a period of damage limitation in the next few months. Moreover, time will be against them at the start of 2025 since resources next year will quickly be diverted to the new 2026 regulations.
Despite Red Bull suffering from their own development slump, the Italian outfit are not there to capitalise.
