Ferrari Braces for 'Very Intense' Data Analysis After Barcelona Shakedown

Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur anticipates a period of intense work as the team analyzes the significant data haul from its three-day Barcelona shakedown, where it completed 435 laps. While Lewis Hamilton set the fastest lap of the week in the SF-24, providing a morale boost, the focus now shifts to a deep dive into performance and reliability findings before the critical pre-season test in Bahrain.

Why it matters:

The shakedown provided the first real-world track data for Ferrari's 2024 challenger, the SF-24. How the team processes this information and implements improvements before the Bahrain test will set the tone for its early-season competitiveness. With the season opener in Melbourne following shortly after, this analysis phase is crucial for optimizing the car's baseline setup and addressing any initial concerns.

The Details:

• Ferrari accumulated 435 laps over three days of running in Barcelona, second only to Mercedes in total mileage for the event.
• The lap times, while largely irrelevant for performance benchmarking at this stage, served as a system check. Lewis Hamilton's fastest lap of the week was a positive data point for the team.
• Vasseur emphasized the upcoming workload, stating the team will have a "very intense" period reviewing collected data and identifying necessary improvements.
• The primary goal of a shakedown is to verify systems, check for reliability issues, and gather initial driver feedback, not to showcase outright pace.

What's next:

The SF-24 will next hit the track at the official pre-season test in Bahrain, which consists of two three-day sessions.

• This test is considered far more representative for understanding the competitive order, as teams typically run more authentic performance programs and engine modes.
• Vasseur confirmed the team has "tons of open topics" to address in Bahrain, with the compressed schedule adding pressure as the team will immediately fly to Melbourne for the first race.
• The findings from Barcelona will directly inform Ferrari's test program and development priorities for the final days of preparation before the 2024 season begins in earnest.