A Friday of extremes. Under the spotlight of Singapore, Ferrari and Red Bull had contrasting first days: the Scuderia Ferrari concluded the second practice session with both cars at the front, while the Milton Keynes team had its worst Friday of 2023. These developments weren’t entirely surprising, although what was remarkable was the stark difference in performance between the two teams.
Thanks to its numerous slow 90-degree corners, multiple traction zones, and relatively short straights where DRS can be deployed, the Asian circuit boasts characteristics that make it well-suited to the SF-23. Despite being a track that demands maximum aerodynamic downforce, Singapore rewards different attributes compared to other similar configurations, such as Budapest or Zandvoort, where front-end precision is crucial.
Here, there are no long, high-speed corners where downforce and stability on entry and through the corner matter most, which is one of Red Bull’s key strengths. Instead, there are only many short, slow corners where aerodynamic qualities have a less pronounced impact compared to mechanical setup. All of this favored Ferrari, which had already shown its prowess on tracks with similar characteristics throughout the season, emphasizing the importance of handling the rear of the car on such circuits. Although these are just Friday practice sessions, overall, the car appeared well-balanced right from the start, capable of handling the asphalt’s (recently redone) imperfections and curbs, as had been observed in Montreal.
Looking at the telemetry data, one of the standout elements is the SF-23’s top speeds, benchmarked among the top teams. On each straight, the Red car enjoys a few extra km/h over the competition. Moreover, since it’s a track with numerous braking zones and relatively short straights, managing the battery isn’t particularly challenging, reducing the issues with derating that have been highlighted at other races.
Another aspect that stands out is the interpretation of the first sector, with Charles Leclerc being the only driver to go below the 27-second mark. In turn one, both Ferrari drivers tend to sacrifice entry speed to ensure a better setup for turns two and three, where they gain a significant advantage in terms of minimum speed. This approach is quite the opposite of the Mercedes drivers, who, knowing they can rely on a good front end, focus on gaining entry speed.
However, even Ferrari’s own drivers expressed some surprise at the end of the day. Being competitive in the mix is one thing, but dominating both free practice sessions and claiming the top spot on dry laps is another. This feeling was shared by rival teams, who, while expecting a competitive Ferrari, hoped for smaller gaps.
On the other side of the fence, Red Bull faced its worst Friday of 2023. In this case as well, the news isn’t entirely surprising. Before the Grand Prix, the Milton Keynes team had warned that the RB19 could struggle on city circuits, as had been the case in Monaco and Canada. However, few probably would have bet on Red Bull facing such difficulties, with Verstappen even admitting that they were far from internal expectations.
The factors that favored Ferrari on the first day are the same ones that caused trouble for the Anglo-Austrian team. In Singapore, two key factors come into play: technical and human aspects. Having a competitive car undoubtedly helps in terms of performance, but on such a technical circuit, where drivers have to find the limit within centimeters of the barriers, having a car that instills confidence in the driver behind the wheel is even more critical.
This is one of the elements that caught Red Bull unprepared on Friday: the RB19 seemed to be out of its element, with the mechanical setup possibly heading in the wrong direction. Both Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez encountered common issues, especially due to a rear end that felt too “light” under braking, enough to give both drivers the sensation of nearly losing control and potentially hitting the wall. These balance and grip problems also extended to traction, a critical aspect on a track defined by heavy braking and low-speed acceleration.
It’s no secret that during the season, the Milton Keynes car has encountered more issues with handling curbs and absorbing the rough asphalt of city circuits compared to some of its rivals. However, one noteworthy aspect is that, based on the simulations they had, some teams expected a much rougher track surface. Therefore, they arrived with more conservative setups to avoid damaging the car’s underbelly. For example, for this reason, Aston Martin had to adjust its setups between FP1 and FP2, allowing them to lower the car. It’s possible that Red Bull, with concerns stemming from previous races, began the weekend with a mechanical setup that proved unsuitable for the reality of the circuit. This, coupled with a comparison of different floor aerodynamics between the two sessions, could be key to resolving their issues overnight, avoiding a repeat of 2015.
These problems are more pronounced over long runs, where finding the limit is not as crucial as in qualifying. All the top teams are closely matched within a few tenths, with variations influenced by factors such as traffic and the target lap time to ensure consistency rather than pure performance. Additionally, it’s important to note that during the practice simulations, teams also conduct lift-and-coast tests to assess their impact on pace, as Singapore is one of the most demanding races in terms of fuel consumption.
While there was certainly some thermal degradation, given the time lost in the pit lane, realistically, a one-stop strategy is likely, providing an opportunity for the leader to manage the pace. Therefore, Saturday’s performance will play an even more critical role.
Mercedes, Aston Martin, and McLaren are in the mix, with McLaren being the group’s uncertainty. Lando Norris is the only one of the two McLaren drivers with the new package, and part of the day was dedicated to aerodynamic comparisons. During low-fuel runs, the British driver made a mistake at the final chicane, losing the racing line after locking up. In terms of race simulation, it’s worth noting that McLaren was the only team to test the soft tire in the opening stint, switching to the hard tire for the second run, during which they set an excellent attack time.
Singapore offered a different Friday from the norm, with some certainties and uncertainties for the rest of the weekend. One of these uncertainties is the arrival of rain, which could wash away the rubber left on the track.
Leave a Reply