Red Bull started the 2024 season with consecutive wins and looked unstoppable again. With Max Verstappen on a winning row, no other team looked competitive. However, when Max had to retire due to a braking issue during the Australian GP, Carlos Sainz seized the opportunity. Thus, a new powerhouse emerged as Ferrari intensified the race to a world title.
Further, the team won another GP in Monaco, where Charles Leclerc drove smoothly on a bumpy track. Thus, the Maranello squad was aiming to dethrone the reigning champions. However, the Prancing Horse suddenly seemed injured, and their performance got a blow. Therefore, it has slipped back into the pecking order of late. However, Carlos Sainz has put Mercedes on the radar as he aims for a comeback.
Ferrar’s 2024 Campaign Went Downhill Despite Two Victories
The Ferrari technical team introduced several exciting upgrades ahead of the Emilia Romagna GP and Spanish GP. However, the results were completely opposite from their expectations, leaving the team in the midst of nowhere. As a result, the Maranello crew slipped behind McLaren and Mercedes, and George Russell clinched the silverware in Austria. Although Carlos Sainz managed to get a podium finish, his teammate Charles Leclerc was not even in the top ten. Earlier, during the Spanish GP, Sainz envisioned a solid outcome in front of the home crowd. However, the Ferrari duo finished at P5 and P6, as the SF-24 looked out of control.
The SF-24 struggles in high-speed corners, which seems to be due to increased downforce, which gives it a bouncing recoil. The Spaniard has grappled with the bouncing phenomenon, wanting the team to lower the tyre temperature or manage the degradation better. During his appearance on DAZN Spain, Sainz reviewed the Austrian GP, highlighting the importance of their resurgence. He said a podium finish is worth celebrating as the team has struggled in the past few weeks. Further, discussing the rivals, he admitted Ferrari was a step behind’ McLaren and Red Bull while being ‘half a step behind’ Mercedes.
Moreover, the Spanish driver acknowledged his hard work, claiming the SF-24 was quicker than Lewis Hamilton and Sergio Perez. The 29-year-old Ferrari driver aims to stay ahead of the Silver Arrows during the British GP. Although the Italian team is in the second spot in the standings, Mercedes has surged in its performance. Thus, it won’t be a walk in the park to outpace the German Marque.
Carlos Sainz To Use An Old Specification During The British GP
The Ferrari team is aiming to return to winning ways as the gap between them and Red Bull continues to widen. While the team is pushing hard, the direction of its upgrade seems questionable.
While the team introduced a new floor in Spanish GP, Sainz is set to ditch the new setup for the old one. The Spaniard believes this new floor has put the team in reverse gear. Thus, he is adamant about regaining momentum and returning to the right track.