Charles Leclerc’s verdict on Ferrari SF24 after shakedown at Fiorano circuit: “It’s not fast enough”

On 13th February 2024, Formula 1’s Italian Giants Scuderia Ferrari pulled off the red covers of their latest F1 challenger, the Ferrari SF24.

Hours after the launching event at Maranello, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz—who is losing his 2025 Ferrari F1 seat to Lewis Hamilton—took the Ferrari SF24 for a test run at the Fiorano Circuit.

Charles Leclerc talks on new Ferrari SF24

On Tuesday, right after launching the Ferrari SF24, Charles Leclerc put on his Ferrari red suits and completed a three-lap shakedown run with the SF24 at the Fiorano Circuit.

Addressing the media in a post-shakedown interview, Leclerc provided his first impressions on the SF24. He expressed his optimism with the SF24’s performance. But he refrained from making early judgements about its competitiveness, before further testing is performed.

“…If other teams have done bigger steps forward in terms of lap time gains, then it can be an easier car to drive, but if it’s not fast enough, it won’t be fast enough on track. So, in terms of competitiveness, it’s very difficult [to say],” he explained.

In the interview, he also compared the SF24 with its predecessor, the SF23. “I remember that after the first lap last year, or it was the first three [or] four laps, I wasn’t really happy with the behavior of the car,” said Leclerc.

“The car was very, very difficult to drive. This year, the car feels healthier and in a better place. In terms of actual feeling of the very first laps, I will say I’ve had a better feeling this year than I did last year,”, he added.

From what SportsZion understands, Charles Leclerc looks quite hopeful after his initial run with the Ferrari SF24.

Ferrari hopes to challenge for title after brilliant F1 season last year

Scuderia Ferrari had quite a ‘brilliant’ season last year, although Red Bull showcased the ‘most dominating’ performance in Formula 1’s history. Despite finishing 3rd in the Constructor’s Championship—just 3 points behind Mercedes—the Reds where the only team to clinch away one Grand Prix victory from RB.

In spite of the SP23’s achievements (1 GP win and 7 pole positions), it had an unpredictable driving condition, pointed by Charles Leclerc throughout last season that was pretty disadvantageous for Ferrari.

However, from Charles Leclerc’s initial impressions about the new SF24, it appears that Ferrari has solved their ‘unpredictable’ driving complexities from last season and is highly confident to challenge Red Bull for the world title.

Can Leclerc perform better this season with the SF24? Will Ferrari be able to take a shot at the world title this time? Let us know your predictions in the comments.