Charles Leclerc confirms "simulator data for Ferrari SF-23 is encouraging"

For Charles Leclerc and Ferrari today was a special day, that of the presentation of the SF-23 held at Fiorano. And right on the Ferrari race circuit, the Monegasque brought the new SF-23 car of the Prancing Horse to the track, taking advantage of the few kilometers allowed by the FIA international sporting code.

Charles Leclerc completed a couple of laps at the wheel of the SF-23, then went in front of the microphones of the press which was of course present at the event for a long interview in which he addressed several interesting points. From the feeling associated to the new single-seater to Fred Vasseur’s approach for the Ferrari car. From the relationship with Carlos Sainz Jr. to the expectations for the new season which will begin in a few days.

Charles, you spent a winter doing a lot of simulator work with the SF-23. And today you took the car to the track. What sensations did it give you?
“The car gave me good sensations on the simulator, but in any case there’s a lot of difference with reality and it’s difficult to say anything after just doing a couple of laps on the track. I didn’t push so much. It’s difficult to give real feelings but in my opinion we have taken the right path. We have worked a lot on our weaknesses identified last season and we have had excellent feedback on the simulator. But it is good to wait for the tests in Bahrain, when we will be able to drive on the track continuously to get a better idea precise of what the SF-23 can offer”.

What is the point on which you focused the most to improve the single-seater compared to 2022?
“Let’s say that the balance of last season’s car was rather open, in the way it passed from slow to fast corners. I can’t go into detail, but we worked mainly on this passage, i.e. from slow to fast corners, and the simulator now seems to be going well. We also concentrated on some development designed specifically for the race. So now we have to wait and see how it goes in Bahrain, because it’s difficult to give opinions from the simulator”.

How did you find the SF23 in the laps you did today at Fiorano?
“Last year we had some reliability problems that cost us several things. Let’s hope this year we can push harder. Today we only did two laps and I certainly can’t judge the work done over the winter in terms of engine reliability. From a tire management point of view, on the other hand, we worked a lot. In 2022 we suffered a lot on this and we analyzed a lot of data, worked a lot and I’m sure we’re better prepared. We know where to focus to make things go better and do better. But now we have to prove it on track”.

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How important will the Sakhir tests be for the preparation of SF-23?
“It’s really important. Of course, last year was even more important because the car was completely new. This year’s car is new, but it was built on last year’s basis, so we have a lot of knowledge. a bit more in-depth. However, I still believe that it is extremely important for the team to do as many kilometers as possible to see the first weak points. But also for us drivers, to understand which driving style best suits this car. So, yes, it will be a priority again and it becomes more and more in the last years, because the test days are less and less. Now we only have three days before the first race – a day and a half for Carlos, a day and a half for me – so we’ll have to be precise and try to do as many tests as possible to be ready for the first race.”

Is your goal for 2023 to further improve as a driver or do you think you’ve reached your maximum?
“Yes, the goal, like every year, is to try to improve. I think that in the first years in Formula 1 there is always one thing in particular where you need to improve as a driver and now, for the past two years, I’ve been focusing more on trying to put the pieces together. As I know how to be fast, obviously there have been some mistakes – so I will try to make fewer and fewer mistakes, year after year. But, in general, it’s just about trying to become a better driver and learning from past experiences. Again, when I said that at the end of the year we looked at the bad races, I also looked at my bad races and what I could have done better on those weekends and learned from that. There are several points of attention, there is not a single area. But it’s just to become a better driver in general. And if as a team we do the best job we can, I’m sure we will be successful.”