“Adapt or perish.” The motto isn’t Fred Vasseur’s, but the Frenchman has embraced it at Ferrari since January, when he joined the ranks of the Prancing Horse following Mattia Binotto’s departure. The French manager is firmly convinced that in the pinnacle of motorsport, improvement entails change. And we’re not just talking about the car itself, its aerodynamics, or its concepts, but also the fundamental organizational structure, encompassing human capital and the team setup. This rationale stems from a simple observation: “In F1, other teams evolve; if you don’t do the same, you’re done.”
This is the foundation upon which the Frenchman is expending his utmost efforts. Upon his arrival in Maranello, he noticed a fact: the Group of Engineers and Scientists within the Ferrari Racing Division team needed a turning point. Binotto had dedicated all his time to trying to bring order to things, and to a certain extent, he had succeeded. However, it wasn’t enough, and a successor, namely Fred Vasseur, needed to come in. Thus, the good Frederic took on an uncomfortable situation.
Having access to the extensive archive of Ferrari information built by the Swiss-born engineer, the fifty-eight-year-old set a new course in a matter of weeks. But the eyes of his colleagues had absorbed Mattia Binotto‘s modus operandi. After all, those who are with the limping one learn to limp themselves. For this reason, several individuals opted for different paths. David Sanchez and Laurent Mekies, for instance, eager for significantly more important roles not granted by the new direction.
Hence, the “desperate” search for technicians and engineers to bolster a thinly populated organizational chart in its key roles. A venture into the most prestigious British markets in an attempt to lure away their strengths from the competition. A challenging operation for various reasons. Joining Ferrari, in fact, means placing a big question mark on one’s career. A titanic challenge on which it’s difficult to bet, beyond the generous financial compensation and the prestige of the historic team.
Ferrari: The Revolution Has Just Begun
Establishing a new “social order” within an F1 team is no easy feat. It requires experience and above all, time. A patience capable of building solid foundations upon which future projects must rest. An “evolution of the species” that promises and maintains constant, permanent improvement over the years. Identifying weaknesses through various company meetings, the operational plan was set in motion.
The current championship, in this sense, is crucial. Fred Vasseur is not so interested in current results. On the contrary, by testing the car, drivers, engineers, and technicians, “our man” has developed a very precise idea of which areas need intervention. One of these is Maranello’s dynamic department, which has long struggled to manage a crucial element like tires. On a suspension level, Ferrari cannot be labeled as lacking. The excellent traction that the Italian cars have demonstrated on the track for a year and a half proves this.
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However, when it comes to managing tire wear over the long haul, discomfort has almost always been present. And one shouldn’t be deceived by recent scenarios where the red team seemed to have contained the issue. The problem remains, and despite ongoing research, it will only be definitively resolved next year. In this regard, the editorial team of FUnoanalisitecnica has learned that the upcoming car, which is already in the final stages of programming, will start from this fixed point.
Regarding the aerodynamic aspect, the work done during the past winter was rejected. Fine-tuning the intriguing concepts of the F1-75 didn’t yield the expected results. Especially since the FIA decided to change ride heights. Conversely, in this regard, the instability of handling at certain speeds has led to many problems and, in turn, negatively impacted lap times. The various versions of the floor have only partially alleviated this situation.
The full understanding of the concrete philosophy regarding wing car isn’t present. The Italian car’s aerodynamic setup is currently a compromise between various concepts. The Spanish update package improved things, but not enough. It’s worth highlighting that the SF-23 “can’t” utilize a part of the car that can make a significant difference. We’re talking about the lack of factual control over the so-called “tyre-squish area,” which presently remains an unsolvable defect.
The area between the rear tire and the diffuser is very delicate. In this part of the car, the low-energy fluid is disturbed by the tire’s rolling motion. Unable to use the vertical appendages on the floor’s base anymore (as prohibited by regulations) to shield the area, Red Bull has introduced a “slot” that increases the Y component of the fluid with clean and energized air. However, considering the foundation of project 675, Ferrari can’t do the same.
Moreover, we must mention an endemic lack of downforce combined with lower aerodynamic efficiency. All issues that make Ferrari’s race weekends tremendously challenging. Although Enrico Cardile has decided to further develop the Red car to continue the learning process, Fred Vasseur has entrusted the fate of the new project to the Italian, giving him a blank sheet.
This brings us back to the main topic. A monumental change in the third year of the new regulatory framework that Ferrari fully intends to implement. For this reason, the working group has been studying the RB19 for some time. The goal is to adopt a significant portion of the aerodynamic philosophy conceived by the brilliant mind of Adrian Newey and even improve upon it. This is the plan on paper.
As for the power unit, the current deficit that the Italian engine faces on the hybrid side compared to the Honda engine will be eliminated. This will occur through a different management configuration that, according to FUnoanalisitecnica, will considerably enhance the battery charging and discharging phases. In essence, the future is planned, and we can only wait to validate the quality of the work that will be carried out.
Source: Alessandro Arcari for FUnoanalisitecnica
