Source – F1 Oversteer
Ferrari is committing to the new floor that has caused trouble since its arrival at F1’s Spanish GP, but changes are being made
Ferrari is set to unveil a modified version of its latest car floor at the Hungarian Grand Prix, hoping to eliminate the high-speed bouncing issues that have plagued recent races. The Italian team has faced difficulties since introducing an upgraded floor at the Spanish GP, which, despite delivering the expected downforce gains, brought back the problematic bouncing. This has resulted in drivers Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz struggling with confidence and losing time on the track.
At the British GP, Ferrari decided to revert to its previous floor design, initially introduced at the Emilia Romagna GP, following back-to-back tests during practice. This temporary switch was made to allow the team to investigate the root cause of the bouncing and determine whether to continue with the new floor or stick with the older version.
After a detailed analysis at the factory, Ferrari’s team principal, Fred Vasseur, has expressed confidence in the performance benefits of the new floor. Modifications have been made to its design, aiming to minimize the bouncing while retaining the aerodynamic improvements. Vasseur emphasized that the break before Hungary allowed the team to thoroughly examine data from the past three races, confirming the new upgrade’s aero benefits but also recognizing the unintended side effects.
“The week’s break prior to Hungary has allowed us to take an in-depth look at all the data from the past three races. We found that our latest upgrade package did indeed bring the expected benefits in terms of aero points. However, it also had side effects that meant the car was actually more difficult to drive,” said Vasseur.
He continued, “We have worked hard in the factory and so, in Budapest, we will bring an evolution of the floor which we reckon will give the drivers a car that will allow them to drive to the best of their abilities. This season, we are fighting to the nearest hundredths of a second and so Charles and Carlos must be able to give their best and have confidence in the car if they are to get the best possible results in the race, but even more importantly, in qualifying when they need to push the car right to the limit. I am confident the package we bring to the Hungaroring will allow us to be frontrunners.”
This development brings optimism for Leclerc and Sainz, who had been concerned about a prolonged struggle if the floor issues weren’t resolved. At Silverstone, Sainz highlighted the potential setback of having to stick with the older floor version, noting that the team would fall months behind its rivals in performance gains.
With the Hungarian Grand Prix approaching, Ferrari’s modified floor aims to restore stability and competitive edge, enabling Leclerc and Sainz to maximize their performance on the track. The forthcoming race will be a crucial test for the new design, determining whether Ferrari can reclaim its position at the forefront of the grid.
