Scuderia Ferrari generated a lot of discussion following its official car reveal two weeks ago, when everyone immediately noticed that the front wing of the SF-23 car included a very same slot gap separator idea which Mercedes wanted to use last season, but was eventually not allowed to.
The design features support components which are shaped in such a way that they have a role in helping divert airflow to better increase outwash, a feature which the governing body wanted to minimise with the introduction of last year’s Formula 1 single-seaters. In 2022, Toto Wolff’s side was not allowed to use such a component given the fact that the separator design was in breach of the regulation which stated they had to ‘primarily’ be there for mechanical, structural or measurement purposes.
Despite the fact that the content of last year’s rule did not clearly state that the elements could not offer aerodynamic gains, the grey area determined the German side to remove them and not pursue this idea, choosing to focus on other development area, especially given the several issues which affected the Mercedes W13.
With Scuderia Ferrari deciding to replicate this idea on its SF-23 car, the move caused a bit of a stir until the Italian media pointed out that the FIA made some small changes to the rules and regulations ahead of the upcoming Formula 1 championship, with the basic requirement being removed, namely the need for the elements to have a mainly non-aero purpose.
This change allowed Scuderia Ferrari to use the design on its 2023 Formula 1 car, with the Maranello team highlighting that the FIA confirmed there was no issue with its plan. Interviewed by the international media during the three-day testing session at the Bahrain International Circuit, Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur was asked about the situation related to the front wing design and the interest from rivals in receiving clarifications:
Show your support for Scuderia Ferrari with official merchandise collection! Click here to enter the F1 online Store and shop securely! And also get your F1 tickets for every race with VIP hospitality and unparalleled insider access. Click here for the best offers to support Charles and Carlos from the track!
“When we launched the car with this kind of parts, we were sure to have a discussion with the FIA. For them, it was crystal clear that it was okay. The emotion of the other teams, I don’t care.” – the French manager explained.
Frederic Vasseur played down the significance of the Maranello team making a move that other did not seem to think of, pointing out that such decisions represent a normal element of Formula 1 racing.
“It’s the game of Formula 1. Each year at test one you have this story about a winglet or this one [car part]. In one week’s time, we will talk about something else.” – he added/
Scuderia Ferrari was not the sole team to have aggressively developed the front wing concept following the small rule change at the end of the previous championship. Toto Wolff’s side has also kept intact the endplate gap technical solution which was introduced during the 2022 F1 season, but was seen as a banned solution ahead of the new campaign. For the upcoming season it has kept the basic design but made some changes in order to comply with the regulation by mounting the flaps to the endplate.
Alpine technical director Matt Harman was asked about the solution introduced by Scuderia Ferrari and if this idea was something his side might consider replicating: “We’ve had a look a few times at those. I think you may see them on our car, you may not. We will decide. The clarification of the regulation there is quite clear. It’s clear that you can do them, and we will decide whether we do them or not. And maybe I’ll let you know when they’re coming.” – the Alpine Technical Director concluded.
Leave a Reply