FIRST LOOK: Ferrari unveil new SF-24 car ahead of the 2024 season

Ferrari kept the F1 launch season rolling on Tuesday by showing off their eagerly anticipated new challenger in an online presentation.

Following swiftly in the footsteps of Aston Martin, the famous Italian marque virtually unveiled their SF-24 – which continues Ferrari’s recent naming tradition – via a special video and series of images.

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It unsurprisingly sports another deep red livery and is a car Ferrari hope will mark a return to title contention as they hunt for their first constructors’ championship since 2008 and first drivers’ crown since 2007.

Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz will remain as team mates for a fourth successive season in 2024, though the build up to the new campaign has been dominated by the news that Lewis Hamilton will be joining Ferrari next year.

Indeed, Hamilton has decided to end his long-standing partnership with Mercedes in favour of a move to Maranello, and it is Sainz who will be forced to make way for the seven-time world champion, with Leclerc having recently signed a new deal.

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For now, the focus will be on the 24-race season ahead and taking another step forward with the SF-24 package after Ferrari claimed the only non-Red Bull victory of 2023 in Frederic Vasseur’s first term as team boss.

Speaking at the launch, Vasseur said: “Presenting a new car to the world for the first time is always a very exciting moment for me and the drivers, even if we are all already thinking about the moment we will go head to head with our rivals on track.

“This year, we must start off where we left off at the end of last season, when we were consistent front runners, with a view to constantly improving in all areas.

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“The longest ever Formula 1 season awaits us and Charles, Carlos and I all agree, we must be more clinical and effective in how we manage the races, making bold choices, in order to get the best possible result at every Grand Prix.

“It’s often said that your fans can give you an extra gear and that will definitely be true in what will be a very closely contested championship and we are proud to know we can count on our ‘tifosi’ from around the world.”

Ferrari have confirmed that the SF-24 will make an initial track outing “for filming, photographic, marketing and communications purposes” ahead of pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit from February 21-23.

GALLERY: Check out every angle of Ferrari’s new F1 car, the SF-24