Formula 1 News: Ferrari first to announce 2024 launch date
Ferrari is the first Formula 1 team to announce a launch date for its 2024 F1 car – choosing February 13, 2024, for the unveiling of the car.
–by Mark Cipolloni–
At Ferrari’s annual Christmas Lunch, team boss Fred Vasseur revealed that teams are scrambling to be ready for preseason testing in Bahrain in February, slated for Feb. 21-23.
“The launch will take place on the 13th of February, the day before the Valentine’s Day,” Vasseur told Autosport. “You will see the rest [of the details, including the car’s name – expected to be called the SF24] on that day.
“Why? Because we will have one day more before the Bahrain pre-season test,” he said. “No, it’s quite tight, more seriously. We have the test earlier this year and it’s quite a challenge to put everything together.
“It means that we had no other option. I also think that some other teams are doing it on the 14th, but it’s quite challenging to be all ready for Bahrain.”
No rush to re-sign driver
Vasseur says Ferrari are “not in a rush” to sign new contracts with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz.
Both drivers’ current deals expire at the end of 2024 with 12 other drivers on the F1 grid also having contracts that run out next year.
But Leclerc has reportedly signed a new five-year deal to stay with Ferrari until 2029 according to the Italian media while Sainz’s future is still not clear.
“We are not in a rush to extend the deals but have started discussions. Mercedes did it in August. We are not in a rush at all,” Vasseur told Sky Italy.
“This season, I was expecting to do it before the end of the year. But the season was a huge one and we have started the discussion. But, again, we are not in a rush.”
Expectations for 2024
“For sure [Max] Verstappen will be the benchmark. They [Red Bull] had an advantage this season and I’m sure they will improve next year,” added Vasseur.
“But if you look at the last part of the season, I think we made a step on the technical side and we are much closer to them in qualy and the race.