Scuderia Ferrari’s competitive campaign in the 2023 F1 season, Project 675, was represented by the SF-23, a car that, according to the enlightened minds steering the fate of the Prancing Horse, was expected to showcase hyper-sonic speed, never quite achieved, challenging all its adversaries. However, this was not the case, and once again, settling for a mediocre championship compared to the set goals, disappointment crept into the Ferrari Racing Division.
The “negativity” in this opening paragraph is nothing more than a brief account of the facts. However, the red car was not a lost cause. We’re talking about a rather “peculiar” car in certain aspects that underwent various modifications throughout the season in an attempt to increase its intrinsic competitiveness. Although the technicians succeeded to some extent, it was not enough to compete at the top and challenge the formidable Red Bull RB19.
The Maranello team identified several areas for development. It will certainly not be easy to achieve the projected competitive step, considering that rivals, especially the reigning champions, as well as Mercedes and McLaren, promise sparks in the near future. Until the first test in February during the pre-season, we won’t have clear references on this matter.
We must wait, therefore, aware that the efforts put into creating a new technical setup are numerous. Meanwhile, we can provide a brief overview of the strengths of the SF-23 to understand the direction taken by Ferrari’s designers. This measure aims to reinforce winning characteristics while simultaneously correcting various points that did not work well during the last season.
F1 2024/Ferrari: Technical priorities aimed at “technical collaboration”
The longitudinal grip of the Ferrari SF-23 often showed truly optimal values. This is the ability to effectively harness all the horsepower provided by the PU 066/10, which is quite a lot, as we have seen repeatedly. Traction, assisted by excellent rear mechanics, at least in this aspect, undoubtedly provided a winning advantage within an imperfect context.
Low speeds, where aerodynamics proportionally have a lesser impact on performance, yielded good results. We cannot define this fundamental as excellent because the compromise setup adopted on several occasions did not allow the red car to express itself at its best in this regard. The ability to cut through the air was also very good. Work on aerodynamic efficiency began in 2022 and was effectively perfected during the past season.
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Competitiveness in medium-speed corners: undoubtedly the weak point par excellence in terms of pure performance. A difficult transverse grip to produce given the instability of the SF-23 in this particular circumstance. Some changes improved this flaw, but it continued to weigh heavily in certain competitive contexts. Generating a lot of load through the car’s floor is crucial for wing cars. Doing so means accessing extra performance without creating downforce.
According to information gathered by the editorial team of FUnoanalisitecnica, Ferrari has spent a lot of time and money on this point. It is an “invisible work” as part of it was done beneath the car. Managing the vortex structure that feeds the venturi channels is a fundamental principle. This feature provides vertical thrust, grip, and contributes to the mere management of the coverings.
The last issue mentioned is part of the other significant focus on which the commitment to Project 676 is remarkable. The weak front-end of the SF-23 has caused several problems related to the management of flows that were consequently directed towards the rear of the car in a “disturbed” manner. A situation that, as we can easily imagine, compromised tire management, as the interaction with the floor-diffuser pair did not work in the right direction.
The goal for 2024 is clear: broaden the setup window through targeted interventions. By doing so, drivers and technicians will be able to “play” with the main equation of this regulation cycle: downforce/efficiency. Being able to do this means adapting one’s car to the needs of each layout, maximizing the distinctive traits of the car without altering its basic setup. Red Bull was able to do this thanks to the qualities of the RB19.
The reflection of this “technical puzzle” ensures that the setup choice holds high regard for the coverings, an element that allows you to perform with the right consistency during the race within various stints on any tire compound. As we know, the Ferrari department dealing with vehicle dynamics has been updated. A necessary measure. Vital to put into practice the long-awaited aspirations.
In the end, a few words about the overall view of the historic Italian team. In Maranello they are not fools. On the contrary, those in charge of the technical comeback are of great value. For this reason, they know that an F1 car is nothing more than a “cluster of efforts,” if we can call it that, aimed at achieving technical balance.
Without this factor, nothing works, and the alleged potential of the mechanical means remains unexpressed. The Ferrari workgroup knows this, and for this reason, they have devoted their cognitive abilities to strengthen every single element of the team. The Bahrain circuit is waiting to be trodden, to provide the whole world with the first references on the goodness of Project 676. A comprehensive work that involved hundreds of people, each responsible, albeit to varying degrees.
Source: Alessandro Arcari for FUnoanalisitecnica
