For Ferrari, the word “understanding” is always relevant. They are trying to understand, and it seems they are making progress. The path they have taken is not an easy one. The latest aeromechanical engineering work, the SF-23, still carries some unresolved design limitations. The new package of updates presented in Spain has only partially corrected its erratic behavior.
Yes, because the 2023 red car is not consistent. It can deliver excellent performance in qualifying, but then in the race, on Sundays, it loses its pace. In Canada, we saw some improvement in this regard. Unfortunately, due to the absence of high-speed corners, where tire thermal stress is at its maximum, there remains a big question mark about the near future.
Yesterday, we analyzed the current situation of the team. Apart from the personnel-related issues, there are several technical factors under study. The data collection is so extensive that even during the race, the Ferrari track engineers have requested various tests. The purpose is easily explained: to gather as much information as possible in a completely real context.
Ferrari SF-23: A “Capricious” Car That Doesn’t Like All Layouts
Inlet sidepods, downwash sliding panels, and revised floor: this, in a nutshell, is the recent update that transformed the Maranello single-seater. The new aerodynamic package has widened the setup window, a necessary operation to achieve good performance on any track by adapting the car. However, this is precisely one of the weak points: the poor versatility of the SF-23.
In the top category of motorsport, details make the difference. The banality of the previous statement remains highly relevant, considering that the inherent characteristics of a car naturally perform best in specific scenarios. This argument only partially applies to Red Bull, given the significant dominance they have, which is sufficient to win on any track.
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Unfortunately, it’s not the same for Ferrari. Completing a nearly forty-lap long run without suffering from degradation is something new for the Prancing Horse. They only managed to do it in Montreal, as we know. And although the desire of the technicians in Maranello is to repeat such a performance throughout the 2023 Formula 1 racing season, the task is more challenging than expected.
This aspect is emphasized by the protagonists themselves. The overall feeling of the Ferrari team with the car has improved. This fact is indisputable. The race pace shown in Canada was good, although not yet on par with several competitors. However, there is a problem. It refers to certain speeds that are difficult for Ferrari to “digest.”
Ferrari: Optimizing the Setup to Address the Shortcomings
The measures that have modified the Ferrari have not been rejected. On the contrary, while waiting to fully validate the latest changes, the timing feedback shows a 2/3-tenth advantage compared to the recent past. These are the conclusions of the men in red after thoroughly examining the performance of the last two race weekends. But it’s still not enough. The sporting management knows this well, which is why they have decided to accelerate the pursuit by bringing forward additional updates.
Furthermore, the words of Carlos Sainz leave little room for imagination. The Spanish driver, always frank and direct in his considerations, reiterated the concept we all know: the SF-23 shows an endemic lack of downforce generated by the floor and body of the car. And as if that weren’t enough, it lacks in terms of drag resistance compared to the RB19. This element results in less deporting downforce through the wings.
This aspect partly masks the efficiency deficit and, at the same time, increases the tire management issues during the race. The usual short blanket, so to speak. It is reasonable to think that currently the fortunes of the Prancing Horse are largely due to the characteristics of a specific track. Confirmations, in addition to the radio communications with their track engineers, therefore, come directly from the microphones of the two “Carlos.”
Lastly, a look at the ninth round of the championship. The Red Bull Ring, owned by the reigning world champion team, should be considered among the circuits that are not too hostile for the SF-23. Turns 2 and especially Turn 3, sections where the corner speeds will be moderately high, will need to be managed with extreme caution. Getting the aerodynamic compromise right will be crucial, necessary to continue the growth path regarding the management of tire compounds by making the SF-23 less susceptible to the peculiarities of the track.
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