Almost in response to recent criticism from several experts, yesterday the Maranello team released a post showing some images of the new simulator used in Maranello, and a few days prior, they provided a detailed analysis on their official website.
For a while now, it has been said that one of the biggest issues with the SF-23 car is the lack of correlation between the data obtained from the simulator and CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) and the data observed on the track. In reality, things are much more complex, and Ferrari still possesses one of the best simulators in the entire sport, recently further updated.
The in-depth analysis titled “Inside the machine” explains some details about the functioning of the simulator.
A fundamental part of Ferrari’s technological arsenal is the simulator, a tool that the F1 team has been using for the majority of the last two decades. Its importance as a development aid was significantly accelerated when in-season testing was banned by the FIA in 2009.
With the introduction of a meticulously controlled cost cap, the evolution of a new Formula 1 car is more than ever a virtual world prerogative. Scuderia Ferrari has recently started using a brand-new simulator, whose correlation with the “real” world and validation capabilities are so good that drivers who use it claim it is 98% accurate.
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However, this does not mean that the previous system is unnecessary. On the contrary, it is still alive and well, as explained by Filippo Petrucci, head of the F1 Clienti, XX Program, and Corso Pilota workshop. “This simulator was used by all the drivers until 2022. With the Scuderia transitioning to the latest generation of simulators, this one will be used by the Ferrari customer racing teams and the LMH program. We have also thought about offering the opportunity to drive the modern V6 turbo-hybrid to our customer racing clients, especially those who own and are familiar with the old V8, V10, and V12 cars.”
The benefits for the racing team are well-documented. “It is possible to make significant changes to a car with minimal expenditure,” Filippo Petrucci continues. “You can modify the configuration of a car, including the wheelbase length. It is something that would be almost impossible to do in the real world.” The simulator is used for fine-tuning, particularly when the Maranello team prepares to race on a new circuit. Ferrari test drivers can also work in real-time with the racing team on setup changes, no matter where they are in the world.
Filippo Petrucci, who was part of the Ferrari F1 team from 1995 to 2015, believes that the younger generations of drivers, whose natural talent has been enhanced by growing up in a computer gaming era, adapt more quickly to the challenges of the simulator. Ultimately, it is about gaining confidence in an ultra-realistic yet completely safe environment, with experts available to reduce lap times.
On the official website, in addition to the full report, you can also find a fascinating video of Marc Genè engaged in a simulator session.
