All-in Ferrari in Barcelona
Montmelo never lies. This weekend, Formula 1 will be in action in Barcelona, Spain, on a track that has the characteristics to overall test the competitiveness of a technical project linked to Formula 1 cars. Compared to the recent past, the third sector will be less twisty since the final chicane will no longer be approached, allowing drivers to once again tackle the two medium-speed right turns before diving onto the main straight.
Unlike in the 2022 Formula 1 championship, when Barcelona hosted the first winter testing session, this season teams and drivers will arrive in Catalonia for the first time, so there will be no specific references held by the teams. The return to the original layout also makes the challenge awaiting teams and drivers ‘new’.
Several teams have important updates planned, including Scuderia Ferrari, which, after the cancellation of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix and the Made in Italy race, is ready to introduce several innovations after conservatively evaluating them in an atypical weekend like Monaco on the streets of Monte Carlo. Team Principal Frederic Vasseur emphasized that the policy is to introduce updates at every race, rather than hefty packages every five races. The upgrades will not involve the front suspension.
Race pace objective
Today’s edition of the Italian newspaper Il Corriere dello Sport delves into the details of what we can expect from the Ferrari SF-23, starting from the two Friday practice sessions:
“In Maranello, engineers remain convinced that the updates will make the SF-23 more consistent and balanced in the race, with small advantages even in single-lap pace – as reported in the Rome-based sports daily newspaper – the data seen on the simulator suggests there is reason for optimism. New rear suspensions, new Red Bull-style sidepods and floor are expected.” – Corriere dello Sport concluded.
