The start of the 2024 Formula 1 season is just around the corner — next weekend, in fact — and each team has now unveiled its latest machines, promising a year of intense competition and technological innovation. The relentless pursuit of speed, efficiency, and reliability has led to significant car design updates, with changes pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. From aerodynamic refinements to power unit enhancements, the new season promises to be quite the spectacle, with every team bringing something new to the table.
Indeed, for the 2024 campaign, the teams have not only adapted to regulatory tweaks but have also embraced bold strategies in aerodynamics, chassis development, and powertrain performance. This year, the introduction of new materials, the reshaping of airflow, and the optimization of underbody aerodynamics are just the tip of the iceberg. Teams like Red Bull, Mercedes, and Ferrari, along with their fierce competitors, have left no stone unturned in their quest for the championship.
If you’re an F1 aficionado keen on getting the inside track on all that’s new this year, you’ve come to the right place. From the paddock to the pit lane, we’ll guide you through the maze of technical upgrades and strategic overhauls that define the 2024 grid.
So without further ado, let’s dive into the specifics of each team’s 2024 contender, including all of the updates and the possible reasonings behind each of them. Welcome to the 2024 Formula 1 season, a showcase of innovation, determination, and the strategic pursuit of speed.
Haas VF-24
The VF-24, Haas’s car for the 2024 Formula 1 season, builds on last year’s model, adding some smart updates. With some clever tweaks and a fresh look, the VF-24 is all about slicing through the air more effectively and taking corners faster.
This year’s model sports higher, more sculpted sidepods, a popular design among F1 teams due to its smart approach to airflow. By changing where the radiator and the side protection bar are, Haas has managed to make these sidepods do their job even better. They help the car use air to stick to the track more, sticking the car to the track and keeping things stable when cornering. There’s also a bigger airbox on top of the engine that translates into a better cooling system, which is crucial for keeping the engine running smoothly without overheating.
Visually, the VF-24 shows off some design ideas that other teams like Red Bull and McLaren also use. This shows Haas is moving in a new direction, different from their previous designs influenced by Ferrari. But, sticking with what works, Haas is keeping its ties with Ferrari for the powerhouse parts, like the engine and gearbox.
Ayao Komatsu, the team’s principal, talks about the VF-24 as an improvement from last year’s upgrade. He mentions some issues with the old design that have been fixed but also says it might take some time to see the car perform at its best. Still, the team is hopeful and will focus on understanding the VF-24 better and making it faster throughout the season based on tests and improvements.
Williams FW46
The FW46 is the latest effort from Williams Racing to climb back into the competitive ranks of Formula 1. This car is the result of extensive design, development, and production work, aiming to restore Williams to its former glory in the racing world.
With the 2024 season introducing slight changes to the FIA Technical Regulations, the FW46 is designed to meet new safety standards, including updates to the roll hoop structure and front wheel tethers and adjustments to the floor edge’s design. Despite these regulatory updates, the team has focused on finding performance gains while staying waiting the limits of the cost cap.
A key aspect of the FW46 is William’s partnership with Mercedes-Benz, which supplies the car’s power unit and gearbox. The rear suspension also comes from Mercedes-Benz, while Williams Racing has developed the front suspension in-house. Such a mix shows Williams’ strategy of blending the best of external technology with its own innovations.
The FW46 marks a step forward in aerodynamic design, taking lessons from its predecessor to refine airflow management, enhance downforce, and boost aerodynamic efficiency. These improvements point to a careful approach to optimizing every aspect of the car’s performance. It’s all about getting that perfect balance of downforce and drag, making the car as slippery as possible without losing grip.
And let’s not forget the new livery, a tip of the hat to Williams’ proud British racing heritage, painted in a sleek transition from Heritage Navy Blue to the fresh New Era Williams colors, accented with a snazzy red and white pinstripe. This design, along with new partnerships with companies like Komatsu and VAST Data, and PUMA’s role in providing racewear and team kit, highlights Williams’ ambitions and growth.
In the pre-season tests out in Bahrain, the focus was pushing the FW46 to its limits. Williams’ lead driver, Alex Albon, managed to finish in 8th place on the leaderboard, proving the new car’s potential and pinpointing areas for ongoing improvement throughout the racing season.
Kick Sauber C44
The Kick Sauber C44 is a good example of how Formula 1 teams innovate by learning from the best. This car has taken a lot of inspiration from Red Bull, last season’s leading team, especially in its suspension design and how it manages airflow around its body.
First up, the C44 has adopted a pull-rod front suspension system, something you might recognize from the Red Bull and McLaren playbooks. The idea is to keep the car stable at high speeds and under the intense braking that F1 cars are known for. Hence, this suspension system is designed to help the car not dip forward too much when braking, keeping the aerodynamics of the car more consistent.
Another key feature is the sidepod design – sleek, undercut, and angling down to guide the air around the car. Less drag means more speed, and that’s what Sauber’s aiming for. The radiator inlets are also taken from Red Bull’s book, optimizing the engine’s cooling without messing up the airflow.
Sauber has kept its partnership with Ferrari for the engine and some gearbox components, but it’s worth noting that most of the car is built in-house, showing they’re keen on blending the best of both worlds – Ferrari’s proven power with their own fresh ideas.
Furthermore, in response to new safety regulations, particularly after Zhou Guanyu’s scary 2022 crash, Sauber has also redesigned the roll hoop, opting for a more traditional shape, ensuring the car is as safe as possible and able to withstand greater forces in case of an accident.
Alpine A524
At first glance, the Alpine A524 may look similar to last year’s model, but under the hood and all around, it’s changed in almost every way possible.
For starters, Alpine’s thrown in a new chassis and a pushrod suspension at the back, trimming down weight and fine-tuning the car’s silhouette for better aerodynamics. For the sidepods, Alpine went for a deeper cut underneath. Such design helps air flow smoothly around the car, increasing downforce (the force pushing the car down onto the track), vital for keeping the car steady and quick at high speeds. It has also moved parts of the radiator higher up, making the top air intake bigger so the car can cool down more efficiently without slowing down.
Speaking of the radiator, one innovative feature in the A524 is the cooling system’s capillary radiator technology, using differences in pressure to move coolant around more efficiently, helping the car keep its cool even in the heat of the race. Plus, they’ve tinkered with the floor, front wing, and nose, further reducing drag and increasing downforce, making the car faster and easier to handle.
Despite some challenges with power output, Alpine’s betting on using what they’ve got more cleverly to stay in the mix. Technical Director Matt Harman points out the car’s broad redesign as a way to improve performance everywhere, from speed to handling.
Perhaps the A524 is built not just for now but for the future, with room to get even better over the next two seasons. With its updates, Alpine has surely made some tough choices to push the design further, focusing on long-term success instead of short-term gains.
RB VCARB 01
The RB VCARB 01 is the latest race car from the team we used to call AlphaTauri, ready to shake up the 2024 Formula 1 season with some fresh ideas and a hefty dose of innovation. Gone are the days of playing it safe; this car is all about pushing the envelope and setting new benchmarks for what the team can achieve.
A big update for this car is its new front suspension system. Unlike the old car, the VCARB 01 uses a pull-rod system at the front, similar to what the Red Bull and Kick Sauber teams do, good for aerodynamics and handling better.
This year, the partnership between RB and Red Bull Technology has gone up a gear, with the VCARB 01 benefiting from shared suspension components, including the innovative front system and a tried-and-tested rear setup from last year. This collaboration signifies a deeper integration of strategies and technologies, highlighting a unified front in pursuit of excellence.
The car also has a new look around the radiators, with a design that lets air flow better, especially at high speeds, ensuring the car remains firmly planted on the track. While the silhouette may bear a resemblance to last year’s model, the team hints at adjustments that could redefine how air dances around the car. These tweaks are pivotal for managing air flow and could be the secret sauce to the VCARB 01’s performance.
At the Bahrain test, the VCARB 01 turned heads, with Daniel Ricciardo clinching a top-five spot in the final classification on the C4 compound. In all likelihood, the VCARB 01 could be a strong competitor this season — time will tell.
Aston Martin AMR24
The Aston Martin AMR24 is revving up to be a major contender for the 2024 Formula 1 season, with a sharp focus on harnessing the power of aerodynamics from the ground up and making the bottom of the car work harder for better performance. Dan Fallows, the brains behind its design, has been working on improving how the car handles all sorts of movements like speeding up, braking, and turning to optimize airflow underneath.
A standout feature of the AMR24 is its redesigned nose, crafted to streamline air directly beneath the chassis, drawing inspiration from Red Bull’s pioneering designs. However, making the nose shorter to help with airflow means it has to be heavier to pass safety tests, which could be a potential drawback.
The team has boldly expanded the radiator inlet area, also taking cues from Red Bull but going even bigger. This adjustment ensures optimal air intake at high speeds, crucial for maintaining performance through superior cooling and underfloor aerodynamics. This feature, along with a bigger mirror mount doubling as a mini-wing, funneling air over the car’s flanks to augment downforce and push it down harder against the track. The sidepods have also changed slightly from last year for swifter undercarriage airflow, mirroring innovations seen in the Kick Sauber’s latest model.
The collaboration with Mercedes is most evident at the AMR24’s rear, where a revamped suspension setup and potentially shorter gearbox hint at a more aerodynamically favorable and compact design. This strategic positioning could also suggest a more rearward seating arrangement for the drivers, further optimizing the car’s balance and aerodynamic profile.
Aston Martin’s vision with the AMR24 is to shift the aerodynamic emphasis from traditional wing-generated downforce to a more sophisticated exploitation of undercar airflow, promising enhanced speed on straights without compromising on agility. The team’s enthusiasm for the car’s debut upgrades signals a strong foundation for ongoing development throughout the season, aiming to ensure the AMR24 remains a formidable force at every circuit on the calendar.
Ferrari SF-24
The Ferrari SF-24 is racing into the 2024 Formula 1 season, flaunting a major overhaul that puts a fresh spin on aerodynamics, particularly beneath the chassis. Ferrari has also decided to try something new with the sidepods, going for an undercut style rather than their traditional strategy of pushing air outward.
Taking inspiration from Red Bull, the SF-24 sports more aggressively contoured sidepods coupled with distinctive lips before the radiator inlets. These changes aim to control how air moves at high speeds, keeping the car’s aerodynamics smooth and efficient. Worth noting, the sidepods take a gentle dive downwards, complementing the wide nose from last year.
Beyond aesthetics, the SF-24 undergoes significant mechanical refinements, with its suspension and gearbox receiving particular attention. While maintaining the essence of its previous suspension setup, adjustments have been made for enhanced stability during acceleration and deceleration. The gearbox is shorter, meaning more space around the back of the car for more aerodynamic tricks. Adding to the new sidepod design, these updates are meant to improve how air moves under the car, vital for making the car stick to the track better.
At the heart of the SF-24’s development is a focus on the car’s underbelly, aiming to address high-speed grip issues. Technical Director Enrique Cardile emphasizes the importance of drivability and the necessity for on-track validation of testing innovations. After all, it’s really about making a car that not only performs well but also intuitively responds to the drivers’ commands.
Building upon the momentum gained towards the end of the previous season, the SF-24 embodies Ferrari’s new way of thinking about aerodynamics. This new direction is hoped to make Ferrari more competitive, combining innovative design with a focus on real-world performance and driver confidence.
McLaren MCL38
The McLaren MCL38 is hitting the grid for the 2024 Formula 1 season with big changes, especially to its sidepods, building on upgrades that started last year. This year’s model showcases an advanced upper side impact bar (a smart move first introduced by Mercedes in 2022), along with a newly designed lip over the radiator inlet, engineered to streamline airflow over the sidepod. These updates help air move better around the radiators and reduce unwanted lift from the sidepod tops, cutting drag and boosting the car’s aerodynamics.
McLaren has also worked hard on improving how air flows under the car. By reshaping the sidepod, the team aims to increase downforce and leverage ground effect aerodynamics, making the car faster and more stable across varying speeds and track conditions. Moreover, adjustments were made to the car’s chassis to fit the new aerodynamic strategy, including making space at the front of the sidepod to make the car perform better in slower corners.
In addition, the radiators have been relocated from their traditional front position to the middle of the sidepods, near the cooling slots. This move, while potentially raising the car’s center of gravity, is deemed a worthwhile trade-off for the aerodynamic gains it brings, crucial for enhancing the MCL38’s pace.
The suspension system has also been refined to keep the car stable and aerodynamically efficient during different driving maneuvers, including braking and acceleration phases. By recalibrating the front suspension and the attachment points of the rear upper wishbone, the team hopes to have improved the vehicle’s dynamic posture, contributing to its competitive edge.
Also worth mentioning, McLaren’s development of the MCL38 has been aided by new cutting-edge technological resources, including a state-of-the-art wind tunnel and simulator, along with advanced manufacturing capabilities. These tools have allowed the team to make precise and quick improvements to the car. Andrea Stella, the team’s principal, is optimistic about the MCL38’s potential, and he has planned to implement further updates throughout the season to keep improving the car’s speed and efficiency.
Mercedes W15
The 2024 Mercedes W15 boasts a slew of significant updates aimed at ramping up speed and agility. One of the standout changes is the redesigned sidepods, a move integral to Mercedes’ broader strategy to enhance airflow dynamics around the chassis.
In a bid to rectify handling quirks encountered last season, the team has overhauled the rear suspension, transitioning from a pull-rod to a pushrod setup. This shift promises improved control and stability, particularly affecting the car’s rear dynamics. Lewis Hamilton also suggested moving the cockpit back by about 10cm to get a better feel of the car’s rear and help with airflow from the front wheels to the sidepods. Although such a tweak alters the aerodynamic interplay with the upper side impact bar, it’s meant to ultimately refine airflow efficiency over the vehicle..
Aerodynamic finesse extends to the W15’s wings; the front wing now boasts a novel attachment to the nose, complemented by enhancements to the rear wing designed to amplify the efficiency of the drag reduction system (DRS) and propel speed on straights. The introduction of a new monocoque and gearbox casing also underpins these aerodynamic advancements, evidencing Mercedes’ commitment to a comprehensive vehicle overhaul for elevated performance.
James Allison, the technical director, mentioned a meticulous design overhaul to address last year’s car issues, with a particular focus on refining the rear axle’s behavior and enhancing both the DRS and pit stop efficiency. These modifications are crucial for optimizing undercar airflow, a pivotal performance determinant in contemporary F1 engineering. The overarching goal is to ensure these aerodynamic improvements synergize to enhance the efficacy of floor edge airflow.
Despite the challenges, Toto Wolff and the team expressed confidence in their off-season progress, poised to maintain Mercedes’ competitive edge with the W15.
Red Bull RB20
The Red Bull RB20 brings a fresh take on Formula 1 car design for the 2024 season, showcasing some innovative changes, especially around the sidepods and radiator inlets. The car introduces an upright radiator inlet that’s positioned closer to the car’s centerline, stretching down the chassis. This design is somewhat inspired by the 2022 Mercedes’ zero sidepod concept but used in a new way by Red Bull.
In a departure from traditional designs, the RB20 sports enlarged sidepods with a pronounced undercut at the front, a feat enabled by cutting-edge radiator technology and thoughtful engineering. This setup not only optimizes radiator placement for a lower center of gravity but also enhances the car’s overall design efficiency.
This season marks a pivotal shift in Red Bull’s aerodynamic philosophy, favoring a vertical radiator inlet for an extensive undercut. The new setup improves how air flows along the floor’s edges and towards the diffuser, key for aerodynamic performance.
The reconfiguration of the radiators and the inlet under a bodywork lip has opened up a new path for cooling air. The car features high bodywork shoulders and a dip similar to previous Mercedes designs, while the sidepods themselves are shaped more like classic aerofoils.
The relocation of smaller radiators facilitates a compact, sharply sloping rear upper bodywork, freeing up valuable space in front of the rear wing. This adjustment, coupled with the truncated sidepod length, aims to improve air movement around the diffuser for better aerodynamic efficiency.
The main goal behind these bold bodywork changes is to upgrade the car’s performance from the ground up. With better air dynamics around the sidepods and along the floor, Red Bull has likely fine-tuned the geometry of the venturi tunnels underneath the car, aiming to boost downforce and overall speed.
Red Bull’s RB20 represents a bold step in F1 car design, showing the team’s willingness to experiment with new ideas to find aerodynamic advantages. Its strategy marks a significant evolution and could set new standards in the sport, underlining Red Bull’s dedication to staying at the forefront of F1 innovation.
Last Words
As the dust settles on the Formula 1 pre-season test in Bahrain, the stage is set for a grueling and fiercely competitive 2024 season. Red Bull has emerged with a statement of intent, showcasing the RB20’s innovative design and raw pace, setting the benchmark for their rivals. The feedback from the grid acknowledges Red Bull’s position as the team to beat, with Max Verstappen continuing to be the favorite for the championship, underlining the team’s bold strides in maintaining their dominance.
Mercedes and Ferrari, with their own set of improvements, are poised to challenge and seize opportunities, signaling a year where strategic development and in-season adaptations could be key to success. Haas’s focus on understanding their car’s long-term performance, alongside Alpine and Williams’ cautious optimism about their overhauled concepts, highlights the diverse strategies across the paddock in pursuit of progress.
The preseason test has provided a glimpse into the potential pecking order and underscored the relentless innovation and pursuit of excellence that defines Formula 1. As teams brace for the longest season in F1 history, the emphasis on endurance, both for the machines and the personnel, will be crucial.
With all teams seeming to have their cars showing positive signs of improvement, the 2024 season promises a canvas for yet another dramatic rivalry in the sport.
