Ferrari passes initial crash test for the 2024 F1 car
Red Bull fails first 2024 crash test with radical RB20 nose variation while Ferrari passes initial chassis crash test for the 676 model.
As Formula 1 teams ramp up preparations for the upcoming 2024 season, pre-season crash testing has already yielded mixed results.
Red Bull failed their first FIA crash test with their new RB20 chassis over the December break.
Meanwhile, Scuderia Ferrari successfully passed the initial test for their 676 car before Christmas according to Motorsport Italy.
The failed Red Bull crash test
Red Bull’s 2024 challenger reportedly suffered damage to its chassis during crash testing at the team’s Cranfield site.
The early setback is speculated to be a consequence of experimenting with radical or lightweight concepts to meet this year’s higher minimum weight requirements.
Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner clarified, “We tried a more extreme nose concept which unfortunately failed a crash test, so we have to modify that and get it retested in January. It’s just a small detail, but it cost us a few weeks.”
The new nose variation may have also been an attempt to dial in greater front-end feel for drivers Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez to build on the RB19’s strengths.
Horner downplayed the failure's severity, citing Red Bull’s 2022 precedent where a failed initial crash test still resulted in a dominant championship-winning campaign for Verstappen.
Under legendary Chief Technical Officer Adrian Newey’s expertise, the team is pushing to extract further performance gains with the RB20.
Ferrari’s 2024 challenger passes first test
In positive news, Scuderia Ferrari successfully completed their opening crash test for the new 676 car.
The chassis is now officially homologated for the 2024 season after passing the evaluation prior to the December break.
Team Principal Fred Vasseur confirmed, “We passed our first crash test before Christmas, as planned and expected. So the chassis is now homologated following all the required tests.”
Ferrari’s 2024 contender has been designed by Fabio Montecchi and is expected to differ noticeably from last season’s F1-75.
Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz will conduct a filming day shakedown at Fiorano on February 14th before pre-season testing commences.
The early contrasting outcomes for Red Bull and Ferrari demonstrate how instability remains entering the new campaign.
Despite reigning supreme in 2023, Red Bull faces teething issues getting their latest model up to speed.
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