Fabiano Vandone opens up on SF-23 tyre issues and why Ferrari car has not improved

Fabiano Vandone opens up on SF-23 tyre issues and why Ferrari car has not improved. Fabiano Vandone opens up on SF-23 tyre issues.

Following the disappointing performance in the 2023 Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix, Scuderia Ferrari continues to struggle. In the usual Monday episode of Pit-Talk, Fabiano Vandone, the evening’s guest, spoke about Ferrari’s recent problems. The Maranello team is experiencing significant tire wear this season and, as defined by Fabiano Vandone, the car seems to be “paralyzed.”

“What I see is a stationary car that doesn’t make progress. It performs well in qualifying because it is masked by new tires, and the car’s problems are hidden by the soft compound. This gives the impression that the car has made a leap in quality. However, in the race, with more fuel and worn tires, we’re back to square one.” – explained the former driver and now journalist.

“In six races, two and a half months, this problem has not been resolved at all. In the sense that now, in Barcelona, we’ll see some real issues. Barcelona is a tire-eating track. So, if there was already a medium to high problem, it will be amplified at Montmelo. Especially with the remodeling of the penultimate corner. This means facing an additional corner at full speed, with 4G forces. This becomes an accelerator of tire degradation. What’s the result? The aerodynamic problems, chassis issues, and car balance that we saw in the first race in Bahrain are the same ones we saw in Monaco.” – the Italian pointed out.

“The real problem is that Ferrari seems paralyzed. Part of it, we know, is due to the departure of the technicians. On the other hand, the question is: ‘Are those who remain working in the right direction?’ If last year the simulator worked, and the car on the track was dominant in the early races, now it no longer aligns with the track data. The current Ferrari is plagued with problems, and it is a fact that this simulator brought its benefits last year.” – Fabiano Vandone concluded.