The Ferrari SF-23 can’t keep losing like this. Even if it doesn’t win, beating this Red Bull is almost impossible under “normal conditions,” but it should still maintain a certain level of performance dignity. Unfortunately, Austin told a different story. Despite the fact that the SF-23’s competitiveness wasn’t extraordinary, things should have gone differently during the race, especially considering that the red car even managed to secure pole position for the Sunday race.
However, the disheartening scenario in long-distance races repeats itself. A car that cannot manage its tires effectively, along with a pace that doesn’t match its competitors. Mercedes and McLaren, in fact, have shown superior performance, further exacerbated by a truly flawed strategy for car number 16. Things could change in a week, but it remains to be seen. The will to change is there. What remains to be seen is if the Prancing Horse will be capable of achieving it.
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, the competitive setting where the various teams will compete this weekend in the nineteenth round of the 2023 racing campaign. It’s a special track not just because of its layout but also because of its location. This aspect significantly impacts various elements like aerodynamics, internal component cooling, and the power unit’s performance, both for the internal combustion engine and the hybrid system.
Mexican GP 2023: Ferrari Loads SF-23 to Achieve Aerodynamic Balance with the Front Wing
Thanks to the snapshots from Spanish journalist Albert Fabrega, we can discuss the aerodynamic configurations chosen by the top teams, based on the on-track action. As expected, the main technical departments have opted for high vertical load solutions. They adopt specific designs with an enlarged frontal area and more pronounced main planes. The goal, needless to say, is to optimize the pressure difference.
Looking at the rear wing comparison, the Red Bull has the largest frontal area (highlighted in green in the image). The high-downforce specification on the RB19 produces the best downforce across the grid. Even with Ferrari, we see a high-downforce specification with a single support pylon. SF-23 and RB19 adopt the same concept with a single pressure peak distribution. Furthermore, Ferrari remains the only one among these three cars not to have a cut on the transition between the main plane and the additional flap.
Comparing rear wings – Ferrari SF-23 vs. Red Bull RB19 – Mexican GP 2023. Source: FUnoanalisitecnica
By examining the image and considering the shaping of the wings with white lines, you can get an idea of what was mentioned. As for the Ferrari’s beam wing, we notice the double high-load element already seen in various races this season. This component aids in generating vertical downforce, as it acts as an extension of the floor, which helps to extract the low-pressure area on the ground immediately following the diffuser.
Unlike its direct competitors, Mercedes has gone for the old high-downforce concept, using a main plane with a clear double spoon-shaped design, capable of creating a double peak pressure distribution.
As mentioned, the high-downforce package could present some challenges for the red car, a configuration that hasn’t always worked well. However, the problem could be minimized in Mexico because of the high altitude, as the high-downforce setup produces less downforce. This might be something that could help Ferrari by reducing the aerodynamic imbalance that occurs when the SF-23 is loaded.
As always, only the track will provide the proper feedback, although the Italian team already has a rough idea based on simulations carried out in recent days. Without a doubt, this will be a unique aerodynamics test. According to the information collected by the editorial team of FUnoanalisitecnica, it seems that the Maranello-based team is confident in addressing this issue, offering the best version of itself to erase the disappointing performance in Austin.
Source: Alessandro Arcari and Niccoló Arnerich for FUnoanalisitecnica
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