Dynamic stasis. A full-fledged oxymoron that perfectly describes the phase in which the Ferrari and Mercedes comparison is currently stuck. Dynamic because the two teams aren’t stationary in the standings. They move, and they are moved. They don’t advance at lightning speed, but they are not at a standstill either. Static because, in recent times, the gaps seem to have almost frozen. Neither of the two teams manages to have a solid weekend that would lead to a decisive breakthrough.
With this stable linearity, we approach the conclusion in Abu Dhabi. Three races to go, the available points dwindling despite the upcoming São Paulo weekend, featuring the sprint race, which offers the opportunity to bolster the points.
Fewer points on the table, diminishing chances of a comeback. After both world championships have been secured by their rightful owners, two secondary yet no less noble or exciting objectives remain. One involves Lewis Hamilton and Sergio Perez, who are fighting for second place in the constructors’ championship. The other features Ferrari and Mercedes, separated by 22 points in the constructors’ standings. A relatively narrow gap, but, returning to the beginning of this text, it closes too slowly.
A keen observer of these dynamics cannot help but notice that, given recent trends, it’s challenging to consider the catch-up and overtake operation straightforward. Frédéric Vasseur certainly belongs to this category. When presenting the Brazilian Grand Prix, he stated that he does not expect the distance to be bridged so easily. Between the José Carlos Pace circuit, the unknown factor of Las Vegas, and Abu Dhabi, Mercedes has historically performed well on tracks with established precedents.
Perhaps it’s this nature that makes the Ferrari team principal cautious when he doesn’t seem to engage in pre-tactics and states, “[…] In the last two races, we’ve brought home two podiums and we were the team that collected the most points among those competing for the second position. But the values are very close, and it appears clear that closing the gap that separates us from second place is very challenging.”
An act of pragmatism stemming from the awareness that, even at Interlagos, the SF-23 will remain – and will do so until its retirement – a challenging machine to read: often outstanding in qualifying but quite weak during races. Endemic flaws that couldn’t be corrected during the season. The front end will be tested on the Brazilian circuit, as it will be put under considerable strain due to the specific inclines in many corners.
Ferrari Must Beware of Interlagos Challenges
The SF-23 will have good top-end speed, as seen in the first section of the Mexican track. In the second sector, where speeds decrease, rear-end grip will assume greater importance, and the Modenese car could showcase its capabilities. However, attention should be paid to the front-end weakness due to reduced mechanical grip that could trouble Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc in dealing with these particular turns.
One must also be wary of certain bumps that could limit the car’s lowering. This is a key factor because those who can produce more aerodynamic downforce through the underfloor will undoubtedly have an advantage in terms of efficiency. Given the similarities with Austin (a single practice session), Ferrari needs to raise its level of vigilance. And perhaps also the SF-23.
The pitfalls of the sprint weekend are well known to the head of the Scuderia: “In São Paulo, we will be engaged in the final Sprint weekend of the season, the third in the last four Grands Prix. The two most recent races, in Austin and Mexico City, saw us shine in qualifying with two consecutive pole positions for Charles and an all-Ferrari front row last Sunday, but in the race, we proved vulnerable to our rivals’ attacks.” Vulnerabilities exacerbated by less than perfect tactics, as seen in the United States Grand Prix.
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“We are ready to give our all in Brazil. We expect Mercedes to be very competitive. We must continue to work on ourselves, grow, and improve in every aspect, especially in tire and race strategy management. Carlos and Charles, like the whole team, are highly motivated in Brazil, as in Maranello. We don’t want to stop until the checkered flag in Abu Dhabi.”
With these premises, the Prancing Horse approaches a weekend that could break the inertia shown in recent outings. Time is running out, Ferrari must be perfect in every aspect if it wants to outdo Brackley’s rivals in achieving a goal – second place in the 2023 World Championship – which seems to have become vital for both teams.
Source: Diego Catalano for FUnoanalisitecnica
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