Ferrari, Has the SF-23 Been Understood?
After initial declarations, Ferrari already realized during the winter tests that they couldn’t challenge Red Bull for the world title. The expected progress following the double second-place finish for drivers and constructors in the previous season did not materialize, and the Scuderia began the 2023 Formula 1 season as the fourth force, trailing Mercedes and the surprising Aston Martin.
Under the guidance of Frederic Vasseur, the team worked to understand the weaknesses of the car and implemented various updates. It’s no secret that the SF-23 improved after the summer break, managing to secure two pole positions and win in Singapore, seizing the only opportunity in 2023 when Red Bull had a challenging weekend. The car seems more predictable and consistent in terms of performance, as demonstrated in the recent race in Suzuka. What has been learned this year could serve as a good foundation for the next.
Ferrari, What’s Working
Italian journalist Fulvio Solms, writing for Corriere dello Sport, focused on the positive aspects observed in recent Grands Prix: “There are positive signs, moments of progress, signals indicating that Maranello’s engineers are positively progressing toward a different car capable of challenging Red Bull.”
It starts with reliability, observing how the SF-23 dutifully and brilliantly performs its tasks “immediately, without the need for major overhauls between Friday and Saturday,” even on diverse circuits. Next is the modifications, emphasizing that the changes made since Monza have consistently worked, including the Suzuka floor. The weight issue is highlighted, noting how for the first time at Monza, Ferrari managed to come under the 798 kg weight limit – “a total of three kilograms.” Finally, race pace is discussed, “no longer so distant in terms of a single lap,” and wind “having less impact in Suzuka.” This indicates a clear improvement compared to a longstanding issue. According to the Roman newspaper, the next step will involve “an abundance of simulations,” even more than in recent weeks, where more than 40 different setups were tested between Monza and now.
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