It was a positive weekend for the Scuderia Ferrari in Canada, not so much for the final result, a fourth and fifth place, but for what was seen throughout the Montreal weekend at the Gilles Villeneuve circuit and for the answers found to the many questions of recent weeks.
Based on the data, for the first time this season, the SF-23 did not display the chronic tire issues during the race, showing itself to be fast and consistent in every session, less twitchy and unpredictable, and above all, giving the Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz the confidence to push. In fact, it was a significantly improved state compared to previous races, which was likely influenced by the new developments introduced for the Spanish Grand Prix at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona.
These updates not only changed the SF-23 car’s shape but also allowed for a better understanding and an expanded operating window for the tyres.
Therefore, the weekend represented a test for Ferrari and the performance of the SF-23 Evo. According to Motorsport Italy, this test was passed, and the engineers at the Maranello team breathed a sigh of relief for the fruitful outcome of their work on the upgrades and, above all, for not having lost the correlation of data, as had been feared a couple of weeks ago.
“The maturity test has been passed. […] Ferrari feared failure in Canada after the disappointing debut of the SF-23 Evo in Barcelona. […] There was concern that the correlation between simulation systems and the track had been lost, and then […] it would have taken a few months to put everything back in order.” – the Italian website pointed out.
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The understanding and improvement of the car required crucial input from the two days of Pirelli testing in Barcelona, where a series of issues were identified and resolved, as emphasized by Editor in chief of Motorsport taly Franco Nugnes.
“Without the performance anxiety, by increasing the height by a few millimeters, the SF-23 found a more balanced behavior that allowed for longer stints. An aerodynamic problem, porpoising, emerged, associated with a mechanical issue resulting from limited rear suspension adjustment.”
Understanding the problems, combined with small setup improvements, allowed the SF-23 to be less unpredictable and twitchy, putting the drivers at ease.
“Ferrari enthusiasts […] have given up on chasing peak downforce, focusing instead on achieving a more consistent load throughout the lap. […] The increased ride height, a softer setup thanks to revised suspension […] has allowed for broader adjustments. In Canada, there was a more consistent and less unpredictable behavior that restored some confidence to the drivers.” – Motorsport Italy added.
In addition to working on the aerodynamic and mechanical setup, there have also been advancements on the power unit front, all aimed at maximizing tire management.
“The third engine has been homologated to have a fresh unit on a favorable circuit, but also because the power unit has been developed on the hybrid side to make the engine response less abrupt, thereby contributing to preserving tire durability. […] It’s an integrated effort between departments that could be preparatory for the 2024 project.”
Work on the power unit, incorporating new ideas from the recent arrivals from Red Bull, will continue until the summer break: “For Spa-Francorchamps, the final race before the break, a new ERS strategy with different energy recharge and power management methods is expected to be adopted, based on the experience that David George, the engineer who joined from Red Bull, has suggested to Enrico Gualtieri.”
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