For Ferrari, as for the other teams, the prerequisites for the Qatar Grand Prix primarily revolved around the few reference data that led to the seventeenth event of the 2023 World Championship. Doubts regarding the track were not resolved during the available sessions, both due to the format that includes only one practice session and because the Losail circuit played the role of an ongoing challenge throughout the entire race weekend.
The focus on tire behavior became the main topic starting from Saturday, to the extent that it prompted a reconsideration of the race format. The requirement for three pit stops with a maximum of 18 laps per stint made this Formula 1 race complicated and unique in terms of strategies. Despite the regulations imposed by the FIA, Max Verstappen confirmed, on the day following his championship victory, that he is the best, even when predicting the podium was not straightforward.
The race for the Ferrari team got off to a rocky start even before the race began due to Carlos Sainz’s absence. The Spanish driver had to withdraw, watching the race from the sidelines due to a problem related to the fuel system. Disheartened, he emphasized that he was already out of the competition as the anomaly discovered was too severe to be resolved in a timely manner.
On the other side of the garage, Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari couldn’t shine despite the variability of the three mandatory pit stops. The Monegasque driver delivered a defensive performance as his SF-23 did not allow him to fight at the top. This outcome was predictable given the unimpressive performance seen throughout the weekend on a track that is considered a major challenge due to the intrinsic flaws of the Ferrari.
Ferrari: Charles Leclerc does his best, Carlos Sainz watches from the sidelines
After finishing in fifth place, Charles admitted to struggling more than the team had anticipated. Especially during the second stint on used yellow tires, the shootout tire “equipped for two push laps, one more than the opponents” where the performance difference with the rest of the competitors became evident. Furthermore, he was not surprised by McLaren’s remarkable performance, highlighting the race of the Mercedes driven by Russell, which, in this case, was particularly astonishing, especially considering that the British driver in the W14 was in last place at the end of the first lap.
In summary, Charles Leclerc could hardly be satisfied with his race, describing it as challenging due to the high-speed corners that strain the Ferrari and mainly due to the strategy chosen by the International Federation, which effectively forced a three-stop strategy. Ferrari left the Middle East with a bitter taste after a weekend where they tried to compete with the best but never quite succeeded. Interpreting tire change regulations just before the race is not ideal for a team that already struggles with its management.
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Despite the unfortunate fact that he didn’t participate in the Grand Prix and thus missed the opportunity to collect valuable points, Carlos Sainz can still breathe a sigh of relief after the retirement of the seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who, unintentionally, keeps the gap between Ferrari and Mercedes alive. The trajectory of the SF-23 appears to follow a disjointed line, marked by flashes of brilliance alternating with less significant performances, a significant issue when the team is aiming for second place in the championship.
Although McLaren is following a highly positive trend and is not exactly on track to surpass the Prancing Horse in the constructors’ standings, it is essential to consider that looking ahead, the Woking-based team appears to be on the right path for a more significant challenge in the 2024 championship. In a week’s time, all eyes will be on Texas, where the historic Italian team will attempt to change course and bring its level of competitiveness in line with its current and future aspirations.
Source: Vanessa Caputo for FUnoanalisitecnica
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