Some have described the weeks leading up to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix at the Baku city circuit as a spring break. It certainly hasn’t been that way at Scuderia Ferrari. In Maranello, there has been intense work to overturn the performance seen in the start of the season, which have been far below expectations from the beginning of the year.
The work of the engineers from the Ferrari Racing Division, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, has focused on different configurations of the SF-23 car. Specifically, eight different combinations of aerodynamic settings, suspension, and Power Unit modes have been tested.
The work in the factory has been accompanied by work in the simulator, where the drivers have undergone different cycles of work to decide on the setup for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The peculiar layout of the Baku circuit, in particular, has imposed special attention to the stiffness of the suspensions and especially in terms of dynamic response. In addition to this, the setup choices deliberated for the first free practice session will be almost definitive, especially considering the new format based on a second qualifying which will replace the second free practice session.
Intense work but one that seems to have provided encouraging results. Comparing the data with last year’s mathematical model, i.e. the F1-75, with the same configuration and engine mode, the theoretical advantage of the 2023 car would be around a second and two-tenths, based on the data from the simulator,
A significant improvement but one that should not be seen as a miracle. In fact, it is a figure in line with the average performance improvement shown by Red Bull in the early season outings.
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In this beginning of 2023, the anomaly was actually the SF-23, which improved by “only” seven tenths compared to the F1-75. If the step increase of over a second compared to the 2022 car were to be confirmed on the track, it would still be an excellent signal for the work done in the factory.
Key takeaways for Baku: Red Bull loses the stall
Among the crucial factors for seeking competitiveness on the Baku circuit is undoubtedly the management of the Power Unit. The engine will have to express the maximum potential on the very long straight that leads to turn one.
The SF-23 must not be inferior in terms of aerodynamic configuration, especially with ground clearance and management of vertical oscillations. This last aspect seems to have achieved excellent improvements according to the engineers, a key factor that should also lead to less tire degradation.
The effectiveness of the DRS also deserves a separate discussion. On the SF-23, like on other cars, a low-load rear wing will be adopted, counterbalanced by a revised front wing with specific profile and chord of the flaps. Given such a low level of downforce, the effectiveness of the mobile wing, a major strength of the RB19, could decrease by almost 40%. This would entail, in essence, a greater difficulty of inducing the stall of the diffuser when running on the straights. In short, it seems that at Baku, the so far unreachable Red Bull could be closer to the rest of the group, while clearly remaining the favourite for the race win.
Finally, it is worth remembering that the updates introduced on the red car in Baku will likely be part of a functional work for the specific type of track. Most of the developments are indeed planned between Imola and Barcelona, with a possible anticipation in Miami for the wings and the floor.
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