Once again, we find ourselves discussing a Ferrari that is far from perfect. A team that gives its all, with few doubts about that, but in certain situations, it struggles to manage the circumstances effectively. Not all the blame falls on the present moment; instead, many issues can be traced back to the design phase known as “675,” which was marked by aero-mechanical shortcomings, only partially corrected during the 2023 season.
This limitation becomes evident when the challenge becomes adverse or at least less suited to the car’s characteristics. Suzuka and Qatar, for example, are two tracks that have emphasized the significant issues with the SF-23. We are well aware of the car’s shortcomings, having discussed them extensively in recent months. Therefore, it’s wiser to focus on the present and the future.
This is why dedicating an article’s title to this subject is interesting, especially when it pertains to the duel with the McLaren team. This challenge is not just tied to the present but also, as one can easily imagine, to the near future, specifically the 2024 season. In this context, the Prancing Horse is determined not to reprise its role as the defeated.
Being a mere spectator to others’ victories has wearied drivers, technicians, engineering directors, and fans. Nevertheless, to make this rather deficit status powerless, especially given the significant performance surge by the McLaren team, along with Red Bull and Mercedes, another challenger is asserting itself. It goes by the name McLaren and has a clear minimum goal: to beat Scuderia Ferrari next year.
Ferrari versus McLaren: A Serious Rival for the Near Future
At present, McLaren has not secured a single race victory in 2023, while Ferrari has. The Maranello-based team leads in the Constructors’ Championship. However, taking into account the numbers from Silverstone, where the competitive context saw the resurgence of the MCL60, a different perspective emerges. Both SF-23 cars have scored 298 points compared to the 190 points collected by the papaya-colored cars. This difference of 46 points can be explained by the fact that, as mentioned, from the British Grand Prix onwards, the red team accumulated 144 points compared to McLaren’s 190.
A 46-point discrepancy that can be explained by one fact: McLaren is currently stronger than Ferrari. It is generally more robust, as the updates to the MCL60 are decidedly more effective and, above all, on average, more conducive to various track types. This is an aspect that the Italian engineers cannot and should not underestimate. So, how does Frederic Vasseur, the team principal of Ferrari, approach this situation?
Fred Vasseur is anything but foolish. Despite not possessing the technical fundamentals of Adrian Newey or the innate talent of Toto Wolff in managing an F1 team, the French manager seems to know his business. Things have improved under his leadership, even if not exponentially, as was the case with McLaren. The reasons for this, as mentioned, are well-known.
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One factor is the SF-23, which, unlike the MCL60, struggles with external factors beyond its technical characteristics, which are often not very effective. We are referring, for example, to the difficulty of maintaining the car’s aerodynamic platform stable when track curbs are particularly demanding. Not to mention the issue of wind, which can interact with the vortical structure of the Ferrari, making it even weaker. These are issues that McLaren does not face.
Regarding the reliability of the red car, it turns out that the fuel tank of car number 55 was not level before the race. During the routine refueling process, the mechanics in Carlos’ garage identified the problem, which, in itself, was not too complicated to resolve. However, time constraints prevented the replacement of the component, and the frustrated Spanish driver watched the race from the garage as an ordinary spectator.
In the end, it doesn’t matter where the problem originates. Whether it’s a defective part of the car or simply a damaged fuel tank due to the notorious curbs, elements of the track that frequently challenge the SF-23. The important factor remains one: a Formula 1 team, especially one named Scuderia Ferrari, cannot afford to skip a Grand Prix over such an issue.
Source: Alessandro Arcari for FUnoanalisitecnica
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