SUMMARY
- Ferrari's resurgence poses a threat to Max Verstappen's dominance, with Lewos Hamilton's potential move adding to the challenge.
- The SF-24's aerodynamic improvements signal Ferrari's strategic shift, potentially elevating their performance against Red Bull.
The 2025 driver market sent shockwaves through Formula 1 as Lewis Hamilton announced a surprise move to Ferrari for the following year, which might be a cause of concern for Max Verstappen. While the dust has settled on the initial frenzy, a closer look reveals a strategic game plan by the Prancing Horse team that could disrupt Verstappen’s reign of being at the top of the grid.
For years, Ferrari has been a shadow of its former glory. However, their recent resurgence, culminating in a dominant victory in the latest Australian Grand Prix, suggests a team on the upswing. This upward trajectory, coupled with a proven championship winner in Hamilton, creates a potent mixup for success. Once he makes a move to Ferrari, the 7x champion will bring in years of expertise with him. It is relatively more abundant as compared to Verstappen who did not make his F1 debut until 2015.
Ferrari performance surge: A game-changer for Lewis Hamilton
The SF-24 boasts a significant aerodynamic shift despite retaining a recognizable core. The most noticeable difference is the side-pods while ditching the design from the last two campaigns for a more conventional undercut style. This tweak alters how airflow interacts with the underfloor, potentially boosting performance. This could be one of the probable reasons why the Red team has been in the front row since the beginning of 2024.
#F1 | Nugnes reports the SF-24 has a small aero development planned for #JapaneseGP
The larger package planned for Imola will see the car have an identity shift w/ more extreme sidepods and narrower radiator openings.#Ferrari pic.twitter.com/RlIZV1fbQd
— brandon (@brakeboosted) March 26, 2024
The SF-24 design philosophy addresses the loose rear grip concern at high speeds, aiming for consistent aerodynamic performance across various driving conditions. Over the winters as the 2023 season had ended, Ferrari managed to improve their technical as well as strategic concerns. This latest comeback with enhanced performance is good news for Hamilton as he will don the red suit, much to the dislike of Toto Wolff next year.
On the other hand, Red Bull, undeniably, has a strong car in the form of RB20. But their strategy often revolves heavily around Verstappen. His teammate, Sergio Perez, while a talented driver, has not consistently matched Max Verstappen’s raw pace. As Perez’s contract is set to expire this year, Red Bull must make their top pick to race head-on with the reigning champion.
Max Verstappen unfazed by Hamilton’s Ferrari move
While pundits anticipate a captivating duel between the Dutchman, and the veteran driver in a revitalized Ferrari, Verstappen seems unbothered amidst the media storm. The RB20 has proven to be a formidable car, and the 26-year-old has consistently capitalized on its strengths. With Adrian Newey’s design genius leading the charge, Red Bull has a strong track record of continuous improvements throughout the season.
🔧 | 🇯🇵 Some upgrades are confirmed for the RB20 this weekend. There’s speculation about the introduction of a full zero-pod concept reminiscent of Mercedes’ one.
When asked about details of these upgrades, Max said: “Well, I mean the colour will be the same. You’ll see.”
Max… pic.twitter.com/Kw5iarSURf
— RBR News 🇳🇱🇲🇽 (@redbulletin) April 2, 2024
Nonetheless, there is a wave of internal turmoil in the team due to the scandal involving Christian Horner. Experts suggest that these issues might be a catalyst towards pushing out key Red Bull figures like Newey, Helmut, and Max Verstappen himself. However, it is undeniable that the team is on an upward trajectory with multiple drivers’ championships as well as constructors’ wins under their belt.
Regardless of the Melbourne race mishap, Verstappen is leading the championship even after a DNF. In fact, this could be a much-required push for the drivers as well as the team to tighten their grip and reclaim their dominance, eliminating all possibilities for Ferrari to compete against them.
Reliability issues and strategic blunders have often plagued Ferrar’s efforts in the past. Until the team demonstrates a sustained ability to match Red Bull’s car development, Hamilton’s presence might not be the necessary solution. A driver, no matter how exceptional, cannot compensate for inherent limitations in the car itself.