No political weight for Ferrari: regaining "power" in F1 is necessary to win

Ferrari is undergoing a phase of technical transition in F1. We’re talking about a project, codenamed 676, aimed at wiping the recent past clean. A clear-cut change that could somehow provide competitiveness to the new car. To achieve this, there will be many differences compared to the SF-23. A lot of work in all parts of the car to try to produce a vehicle that can get as close as possible to the formidable Red Bull.

The front-end has been adequately addressed. The front of the red 2023 version was too weak, an aspect that effectively influenced the tuning of the Italian car throughout the past racing campaign. For the upcoming aeromechanical engineering work, Maranello’s technicians have moved the intrusion cone downward. We’re talking about approximately 30 millimeters, having advanced it to “incorporate” it into the floor. This operation allows an increase in the volume of the undercut.

Several cubic centimeters gained offer interesting benefits: a cleaner flow towards the rear and an increased outwash effect of the car. This arrangement allows for better management of the tyre-wake. Considering that the vortex structure in the sidepod area will be quite different, in addition, Ferrari’s aerodynamics department has likely explored new design paths for the initial portion of the floor.

Another significantly important theme concerns the floor itself. Within the current regulatory framework, this component of winged cars plays a fundamental role in generating aerodynamic load. Also, at the rear of the car, several novelties will be present, considering that the dimensions of the gearbox and differential have been reduced in project 676, and, consequently, the extraction of the diffuser on the new Ferrari has increased.

Ferrari, political weight equal to zero: regaining “power” in F1 is necessary to return to winning.
In the brief technical summary of the first block, we did not mention the suspension system. Specifically, according to the gathered information, some changes, especially at the front, will undoubtedly be made regarding the kinematics. But in F1, technique alone does not exist. In addition to strategy, which is often decisive on race weekends, there is another aspect that Ferrari has been trying to work on for some time. We are referring to the team’s “political weight,” which in recent years has been anything but good.

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Without going too far back in time, it’s enough to remember the Las Vegas incident last November. A “particularly punishing” situation, where Frédéric Vasseur’s strong voice in the press conference was even scrutinized by the International Federation. Beyond the damage, in short, keeping in mind that due to the negligence of American stewards, Carlos Sainz’s number 55 had to start last, severely limiting the Prancing Horse’s aspirations for victory on American soil.

Ferrari must react in this regard. In this regard, there are some interesting statements regarding the recent past that help us understand the situation. The words come from Modesto Menabue, a motorist who left the Italian team at the end of 2019. The Italian exposes the facts without filters. Regarding Las Vegas, the former Ferrari man shows indignation, claiming that “people with courage would not have put the two cars on the track.” How can you blame him…

Furthermore, he doubles down on the “scandal” about the Ferrari/FIA agreement, citing the mess that emerged about the powerful engine that propelled the red cars during the 2019 season. Running on the line that delimits legality is a very complicated task. To do this, in addition to a perfect knowledge of the regulations, unity of intent must manifest. An aspect that, according to the engineer who worked on Via Abetone Inferiore N.4 for a whopping 40 years, is very difficult to achieve.

“The engine in question was like the Mercedes one, but if you’re politically worth zero…” Strong words released to the Formula1.it website, which firmly explain Ferrari’s value in the eyes of the FIA. The new management is aware of the facts. It knows that the historic team is worth little at the tables that matter right now. Therefore, once the workgroup is settled and a united front is formed on a technical level, the next step aims to restore a certain political importance because, let’s be clear, without this characteristic, winning in F1 is not possible.