Name Ferrari used the naming scheme of "SF" (Scuderia Ferrari's initials) and the year of competition for the first time since the
SF16-H. It would reused again (with a dash) for the
SF-23.
Chassis The SF21 was designed as an evolution of its predecessor the
SF1000. Head of Chassis
Enrico Cardile said that the aerodynamics on the SF21 underwent a "radical" revision with two goals in mind given the 2021 rules cut downforce around the car's floor and rear wheels. As a result, that the team's development tokens were spent on the transmission and rear suspension. The entire front section of the car underwent refinements, with the new front-wing returning to a 2019-style emphasis on the outwash effect. It also featured a new lateral drift, both for the shape of the bulkhead in the outermost edge, and in the foot curb area with a small flow diverter in front of the tyre. There was also a new cape (the flow diverter located behind the nose which helps to manage the flow of air that passes through the lower part of the frame). Additionally, the aerodynamic "horns" placed in the front part of the frame, featured four separate flow diverters. Development of the car ended after the
Azerbaijan Grand Prix as Ferrari switched their attention to the car's successor.
Power unit Addressing the power deficit of their 2020 contender,
Mattia Binotto stated that "the [new] engine is running well on the
dyno" and that its performance had progressed "significantly" compared to 2020. He also explained that 2021 will be a "transition" year in preparation for and that the SF1000's high
aerodynamic drag is a point of focus for development. In an August 2021 interview, Binotto announced that there would be an additional development to the power unit targeted towards the latter stages of the season. At the
Russian Grand Prix Ferrari introduced its new hybrid system, installing it into
Charles Leclerc's car with
Carlos Sainz receiving his power unit next at the
Turkish Grand Prix. The change was to the energy store, upgrading from a 400 V to an 800 V system, in line with its rivals by increasing the energy density of the batteries. Binotto told
The Race that "The power is always available through the straight line, so you get the benefit from it at the start of the straight line but as well at the end. If we consider how the situation was last year, it is certainly a big step forward. So we still know that there is a gap to the best engine today, but we believe that gap today is not so dramatic." ==Competition history==