The fate of the 2023 Formula 1 championship is now clear. In a positive light, Red Bull has emerged as the absolute dominant force of the championship, while Ferrari has been overtaken in the standings by Aston Martin and Mercedes.
Undoubtedly, it is a complicated scenario, perhaps even more than Frederic Vasseur himself would have expected upon his arrival back in January. While the Frenchman insists in his statements to the media on wanting to develop the SF-23, the reality could be quite different.
In Monaco, where it is possible to focus on the mechanical setup, partially forgetting the aerodynamic issues, the red car once again performed far below expectations. But there is more. The Monaco circuit, with its peculiar characteristics, is capable of highlighting cars equipped with a good basic package. Structural rigidity, an effective suspension system, engine power, and the ability to transfer it to the ground through traction are elements that primarily determine the quality of a car. In this perspective, it is not surprising that the RB19 excelled on the streets of Monaco while the SF-23 struggled.
In summary, the 2023 red car revealed several weaknesses related to the adopted design philosophy. As expected, these are issues that are not easily solved in a short period, especially considering that from Barcelona, aerodynamics will once again play a fundamental role, and so far, the SF-23 has struggled with the necessary overall downforce.
Indeed, at Montmelo, an evolutionary package will be introduced, which will change the red car’s floor, side pods, and rear suspensions. It is difficult to solve all the problems at once, which is why it is desirable that the development path is pursued with a long-term perspective, to obtain valuable insights for the 2024 Ferrari.
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As reported by Italian daily newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, it seems that in Maranello, they have decided to redirect most of their resources towards the car that will participate in the next season starting from the summer. This decision may certainly sound like a surrender, but at the same time, it can allow the Maranello engineers to embark on the right path, similar to what happened with Aston Martin following the arrival of Dan Fallows.
The team remains the same, but the attitude changes
In this perspective, the next car, already in the works, will be conceived by the same individuals who brought forth the current one: Enrico Cardile (chassis), Diego Tondi (aerodynamics), Flavio Montecchi (chief designer), and Enrico Gualtieri (power unit). It will be the courage of their choices that will determine its success or yet another failure.
At the same time, Red Bull’s recruitment campaign has so far not yielded the desired results. Both Technical Director Pierre Waché and aerodynamicist Enrico Balbo have declined the transfer to Maranello. This is an understandable choice, especially considering that there seems to be an atmosphere of uncertainty within the Sporting Management, fueled by recent authoritative departures.
Lastly, according to the Italian newspaper, it appears that the management of the John Elkann – Benedetto Vigna duo imposes a cautious approach in the design process, avoiding the kind of approach followed, for example, by Adrian Newey, with the adoption of risky choices that could prove brilliant. We will see if Frederic Vasseur will be able to reverse this trend and if he will have the means to do so. Certainly, the fact that various areas of production and financial management of the team have come under Benedetto Vigna’s control does not help…
