Scuderia Ferrari Spanish driver Carlos Sainz has outlined the characteristics of the SF-23 single-seater that the Maranello team should replicate for next season’s car in order to be able to compete with Red Bull for race wins.
The Scuderia demonstrated more competitiveness in qualifying than in races during the 2023 Formula 1 championship, with Carlos Sainz and his teammate Charles Leclerc securing seven pole positions but only one victory in 2023.
The Spaniard believes that Ferrari needs to work on improving the behavior of Pirelli tires, although he emphasized that the straight-line speed and cornering performance of the SF-23 are elements to build on.
Carlos Sainz’s comments:
The driver emphasized, “Certainly, I would keep the straight-line speed [of the SF-23], braking performance, and performance in 90-degree and short-duration corners.”
“Also, I think drivability over the curbs is a very strong point. So, the car has really, very strong points,” he added.
However, he wanted to specify that these strengths might need to be sacrificed for Ferrari to take a step forward and achieve its “realistic goal” of competing with Red Bull.
Carlos Sainz continued: “I believe that if we want to have a good car throughout the year, maybe we have to give up some of these characteristics, so we are sure to be fast everywhere, especially in the race. In the race is where we really need to focus, to understand what we are doing with this car.” – the Spaniard pointed out.
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“What are we doing to these tires that doesn’t allow us to compete in the race at the level of Red Bull and McLaren in Brazil, for example, in Austin, on tracks where it is clear that we don’t have race pace?” Carlos wondered.
Regarding the prospect of beating Red Bull in 2024, the Spaniard said: “It must be our realistic goal. Will we succeed? Only time will tell. I want the team to think it’s possible because I believe it is. Also, we have shown that if McLaren was able to make these steps during the season, I am perfectly confident that Ferrari can do it during the winter break,” he said.
Finally, Carlos Sainz expressed complete trust in the Maranello team: “I trust this team. I trust the ability we have in-house to turn the situation around. There are still circuits where we are in pole by 3 tenths compared to Red Bull. It’s just a specific characteristic of the car that is really good; now we just have to make it a complete car,” he concluded.
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