How Ferrari heavily revised front of SF-23 compared to F1-75 – report. How Ferrari heavily revised front of SF-23.

On the occasion of the presentation of the Ferrari SF-23 at Fiorano last week, Motorsport Italy anticipated that the new Maranello challenger was completely revised at the front area: the suspension is new and has maintained the push rod layout with the lowering of the lower triangle for aerodynamic reasons. The chassis, in fact, shows two carbon ‘handkerchiefs’ that allow for protuberances under the front area of the body.

Even the steering arm has been brought down to move the weights further down and improve the center of gravity of the SF-23: in truth, this choice was dictated by the requests of the aerodynamicists who, compared to the F1-75, revised the trend of the flows towards the Venturi tunnels and the floor based on a new rule for the 2023 F1 season that stated the floor edges had to be be raised by 15mm.

The hub carrier is also newly designed, as are the carbon brake discs. Last year, the Scuderia had approved a solution that brought together in the same container the two elements that the other teams had kept separate to facilitate developments and modifications. With the current 18-inch low profile tires there is no need to transfer heat from the rim to the tire to trigger the correct operating window of the tire first, but rather there is an exactly opposite need.

In fact, the engineers have understood that it is much better to insulate the carbon disc, covering it with a specific composite cover that encloses heat-resistant material. And between the disc imposed by the regulation and the internal one, a passage of fresh air is ensured which determines a buffer that does not allow the transfer of the heat emanating from the disc and caliper towards the surface of the rim.

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In fact, Giorgio Piola’s image for Motorsport Italy shows us how the Brembo caliper is also completely closed, which is covered with a specific heat-resistant material and is cooled by two intakes that draw air in the lower part of the air intake, while in the the upper part conveys the flow that is blown between the two discs.

The technicians rotate the air in an almost complete revolution before it is expelled from the vent which is always located on the inside of the rim, given that there is a metal rim cover on the outside which prevents any blowing.

For each disc there is a very careful study because the quantity of air to be used for cooling the braking system (a minimal part) and that destined to create the fresh lung which avoids heat radiation to the rim, varies depending on the air temperatures and the severity of the track in terms of braking. Each team studies two or three solutions which are chosen at each Grand Prix during the season.

Ferrari has aligned itself with the solutions of its opponents (in particular Red Bull), having learned the lesson of last year, with a solution that proved to be less efficient in 2022.