Ferrari Unveils Revised Front Wing for SF-24 at Singapore Grand Prix
Ferrari has introduced a significant upgrade to its SF-24 car with a newly designed front wing, showcased at the Singapore Grand Prix. This update follows the earlier unveiling of a new floor at the Italian Grand Prix, where Ferrari secured its third victory of the 2024 season.
The upgraded front wing is engineered to expand the car’s operating window, enhancing its balance across a variety of track conditions. This is particularly crucial for the tight, high-downforce street circuit of Singapore. Despite Singapore’s characteristics, Ferrari’s Senior Performance Engineer, Jock Clear, remarked, “Singapore is not the obvious circuit where you would bring an aero upgrade.” He further explained, “It’s a very draggy, high-downforce circuit, so [the wing] is not specific for this circuit, but basically, it’s just moving the energy a little further inboard.”
This refined front wing features adjustments in the geometry of the inboard and outboard flaps, improving overall downforce. There is also a redesigned spoon-shaped transition on the mainplane, which alters the aerodynamic response to create a more efficient downforce profile. The outboard flaps have been reconfigured to generate an improved outwash effect, enhancing the aerodynamic behavior and utilizing the side of the floor with cleaner air. Finally, new rounded flap tips replace previous metal supports, enhancing aerodynamic elasticity and increasing downforce while minimizing drag.
Clear elaborated on the technical nuances: “If you look at it closely, you’ll see that the inboard is a bit more aggressive and the outboard a bit less aggressive, so we’ve moved that dynamic a little bit. This allows us to crank on a bit more [downforce].” He added, “Here you’re probably going to want to have maximum rear downforce and you’re going to want to get a balance. Balance is everything around here and we’ve been a little bit backed into a corner at some of the high-downforce circuits before, because we’re running out of front power.”
This front wing upgrade complements the floor enhancements introduced earlier at Monza. The floor updates included reimagined surfaces, reconfigured floor fences, a revised underfloor tunnel expansion, and a reprofiled floor edge. Additionally, an innovative boat tail section transitioning into the diffuser was also part of the Monza package. Together, these upgrades aim to expand the SF-24’s operational window and provide a stable aerodynamic platform.
These combined modifications are expected to significantly enhance handling and performance for the remaining races of the season. Importantly, they also lay a strong foundation for Ferrari’s car development in 2025. The newfound flexibility enabled by these upgrades is anticipated to yield substantial performance improvements.
“So, it’s just a little more powerful at the top end, slightly more efficient, but it really is that it’s a bit more powerful. That gives us a bit more scope,” Clear noted, underscoring the critical enhancements that these upgrades bring to the overall performance of the SF-24.
As Ferrari looks ahead, these aerodynamic improvements not only bolster current season hopes but also pave the way for continued development and innovation in future race seasons. With these advancements, Ferrari is poised to maintain competitive strides in the ever-evolving landscape of Formula 1 racing.
