In the hours leading up to the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix at the 4.361-kilometre Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal, Scuderia Ferrari Spanish driver Carlos Sainz wanted to explain to the press the fundamental problem with the 2023 Ferrari SF-23 single-seater. Despite the ongoing talk about tire management, the Spaniard believes they should focus on something else.
Why is the 2023 Ferrari so slow and struggling?
“We keep talking a lot about tires and degradation. I think the fundamental problem is the race pace,” Carlos Sainz explained.
Carlos Sainz’s analysis confirms what fans see: the Ferrari SF-23 has a respectable pace in qualifying on a single lap, but struggles to deliver during the race: “Looking honestly at the analyses, both mine and the team’s, at the moment, what we’re mainly lacking is race pace. Of course, we also need a car that is more gentle on the tires and consistent with the aerodynamics.” – he explained.
With just a few days ahead of the 2023 Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix, the Ferrari driver also spoke about the updates brought to Barcelona, explaining that the Catalunya circuit was probably not ideal for the car, and the updates will need to be reevaluated in the upcoming races: “I won’t deny that it was a bit shocking to see our result in Spain, but we had some new things ready, and it was right to test them.”
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In the last Spanish Grand Prix, another worrying aspect emerged that the Maranello team will need to analyze: the car is inconsistent between one stint and another.
In a low-downforce track like Montreal, Ferrari will have to climb up the standings and prove that they can compete with Aston Martin and a rejuvenated Mercedes after the double podium in Catalonia.
Furthermore, Carlos Sainz is convinced that, as usual, the battle behind the two Red Bulls will be tight. Charles Leclerc has already identified Aston Martin as their primary rival, while the Spaniard has expressed his thoughts regarding Mercedes. The team from Brackley, in fact, has made a leap forward with the new version of the W-14. However, car number 55 wants to understand if it’s a matter of the track or if the car is truly competitive. “I think it will be a close fight, there aren’t many corners and straights. Red Bull will dominate, it’s a track that suits them well. But we also have to consider Mercedes on a track other than Barcelona…” said the Ferrari driver, leaving the door open to the possible results of Toto Wolff’s team in the Canadian Grand Prix.
