Ferrari will not be rushed into Red Bull-inspired SF-24 B-spec

If Red Bull introduced a large development package which involved the reconfiguration of the sidepod inlets and those on the sides of the cockpit at Suzuka, then Ferrari is in no rush to follow with a similar package for its SF-24.

It seems intent on not delivering even a part of an extensive upgrade package until the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola across the weekend of May 17-19th, the seventh round of the season.

Over the last month, there had been rumours that the team would introduce a partial upgrade in Miami, but the increasing likelihood is that the full upgrade package will come only once F1 returns to Europe, and the Imola track only a few tens of kilometres from Maranello.

As ever with large packages, the hypotheses put forward by various media outlets produce scenarios that are not very credible, with RacingNews365 contacting multiple well-placed sources to find the truth.

The technical tea led by Enrico Cardile and aero chief Diego Tondi seems to have found an unexpected increase in performance in a configuration of sidepods that features the inlets being covered by a large upper lip, a la Red Bull.

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It is important to note that this solution was already considered for the SF-24, but was rejected seeing as it is not particularly advantageous as it limited, in the medium term, evolution of the lower channel between the sidepods and floor.

However, after carrying out simultaneous tests with CFD, Ferrari managed to find an effective way to integrate these outlets, that also characterise the RB20.

According to sources, the solution Ferrari will introduce at Imola does not correspond exactly to a straight copy of the Red Bull, but to an interpretation in line with the current inclination of the radiators, which are different to the Milton Keynes-based team.

In any case, the new inlets will work in conjunction with a reprofiling of the floor at the leading edge and lower flow diverters, with visible changes coming in the form of the lateral edge in front of the rear wheels, and a subtle change in the inclination of the ramp of the sidepods.

In essence, it is therefore correct to suggest that over the course of the season, there are three evolutionary steps planned, which can be defined as almost a B-spec SF-24 being introduced.