In Hungary, Ferrari arrives without major updates, but with valuable adjustments tailored to the high-load demands of the Hungaroring track. The SF-23 sports the new front wing introduced in Austria, appropriately modified to maintain maximum load configuration without compromising balance. Additionally, the front wing is undergoing further analysis for deformations, following previous tests conducted in Bahrain.
Maximum downforce for SF-23
In Budapest, Ferrari returns to racing in maximum load configuration for the first time since Barcelona. In Spain, the Maranello-based team had introduced a new version of the high-load wing, featuring a straight main profile and a single supporting pylon. The same version is now used in Hungary, coupled with the cascading beam-wing for maximum load, preferred over the lighter version used at the Silverstone circuit in the British Grand Prix two weeks ago.
However, the ability to increase rear load depends on effectively balancing it with the front. So far, the SF-23 seems to have faced some challenges in this regard, occasionally running lighter than expected to achieve the desired balance. In Budapest, there’s a small aid on this front, as the Gurney flap is extended along the entire length of the front wing profiles to add more front-end load.
Monitoring Deformations
Perhaps the most intriguing element of Ferrari in Budapest is the sensor mounted during the early practice sessions. A double camera on the side of the nose, supported by a 3D-printed bracket, is used to monitor the front wing’s flexing under aerodynamic load. Ferrari has experimented with similar tests in 2023, as during pre-season testing in Bahrain, where the Maranello team used two tethers on the wing to record its deformations.
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Scuderia Ferrari remains tight-lipped about the exact nature of this test, making it challenging to interpret. One plausible hypothesis is that there’s concern or suspicion at Maranello that excessive wing deformations might compromise its performance. It’s also possible that Ferrari is conducting experiments to leverage wing flex to gain speed on the straights. However, the most significant takeaway from Budapest’s Friday practice sessions is that Ferrari is back to focusing on updates and detailed testing after a prolonged period of overall investigation into a car that seemed perplexing to its own designers.
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