We’ve discussed various aspects of Ferrari in recent days. So, without further ado, let’s delve into a candid analysis of the race. Except for Lewis Hamilton, who opted for the Hard tires, most drivers chose the yellow-banded Pirellis to start with. This choice was based on the excellent feedback from Friday, especially regarding tire durability. During the initial laps, the tires need to warm up to activate their molecular structure for optimal performance, primarily on the front axle. Once this condition is reached, the tire starts delivering maximum performance, usually after about 2-3 laps.
Ferrari and Red Bull had a level playing field, at least concerning tire options, as they both had access to the same tire compounds for the race. However, the delayed start caused a series of issues. Firstly, once they are in position on the grid, drivers cannot alter the clutch bite point, which is finely tuned during start practice sessions and on the advice of specialized engineers.
This scenario can lead to less-than-perfect starts because the start software takes into account various parameters of the asphalt, which can change while waiting on the grid. The extended pause allowed teams to reapply tire blankets; however, during the third outlap, the drivers had to try to put a lot of energy into the front axle. This operation is carried out by shifting the brake balance to the front to heat the tire carcass from the inside.
Italian GP 2023/1st Stint: Ferrari Nearly on Par with Red Bull on Mediums
During the opening laps of the 2023 Italian Grand Prix, what was expected occurred: the “lighter” rear end made tire management more challenging over the long run. Top speeds were there, which made overtaking more difficult for Red Bull. Verstappen, discussing with his engineer via radio, reported that the SF-23 had a tendency to oversteer. Because of this, he decided to manage the race while waiting for the right moment to attack Carlos Sainz.
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Regarding “overtaking tactics,” the RB19 was strong at the Parabolica, managing to produce a speed delta of up to 9 km/h in its favor. Such an advantage allowed them to have a great run down the main straight. On the other hand, Ferrari had good stability under braking in a straight line and excellent top speed. These two factors added to their defense against the Austrian car.
The Spanish driver made two crucial mistakes in the first stint: not managing the lighter rear end properly and locking up in turn 1, a factor that favored Verstappen’s overtake at the second chicane. It’s worth noting that Max would have passed Carlos anyway, as the pace of the RB19, although not by much, was undoubtedly superior.
Looking at the numbers, after the overtake on the Spaniard on lap 14, we see that the two-time world champion was 1 tenth faster per lap. Leclerc followed, with a performance gap of two tenths. Setting aside these considerations, we can say that the SF-23 adapted well to the Medium tires, generally maintaining a pace very similar to that of the RB19. Perhaps without Sainz’s lock-up, Verstappen would have had to rely on a strategy to pass Carlos only in the second stint.
Italian GP 2023/2nd Stint: Ferrari Struggles with Hard Tires
Ferrari was among the first to pit, with the intention of executing the undercut on Red Bull. However, Verstappen’s margin was sufficient to fend off the attack from the red team, considering that minimal tire degradation reduced maneuvering room for the attempt. Moreover, following the pit stops of the two SF-23s, an internal battle for position ensued, contributing to a loss of race-time. In this case, the pit wall should have anticipated the situation and prohibited the unnecessary duel at that moment.
Max pitted on the next lap, covering the Scuderia’s strategy. Meanwhile, Perez, after his pit stop, set his sights on Ferrari. On the Hard tires, the historic Modena-based team was forced to reduce its pace. With less grip available, the two SF-23s lost part of their performance, allowing the Mexican to get closer and, albeit with considerable effort, overtake the Italian cars.
Hamilton, with his different strategy, gained several positions by starting with the Hard tires. The British driver was able to extend the stint for a few more laps before switching to the Medium tires towards the end of the race. None of the drivers chose to use the red-banded Pirellis. This is because the Medium tires still offered excellent performance and, of course, worked much better in terms of durability.
In this second part of the race, Max Verstappen dominated, using the Hard compound perfectly. Ferrari’s difficulties are reflected in the numbers. The current world championship leader put a gap of 4 tenths per lap on the red car. The second Red Bull, on the other hand, ran at slightly slower times, being “only” 2 tenths per lap faster. Russell was even slower than his own teammate, despite an excellent comeback.
Italian GP 2023: In the Overall Race Pace, Ferrari Is Only 2 Tenths Slower Than Red Bull
The graphic below shows the forces at play. Over the entire race, Ferrari averaged just 2 tenths slower than Max Verstappen’s RB19. The more complex tire management of the red car effectively served the race to Red Bull on a silver platter. In general, it must be emphasized that the SF-23 had a well-executed setup, leveraging the project’s strengths. Additionally, the weekend was consistent, with no significant variations in competitiveness between sessions.
Identifying the operational window of the Italian car was therefore possible, with the GES dynamic department putting in significant efforts to improve race pace, which were partly rewarded on the track. However, Ferrari had to necessarily adopt a greater front camber angle, a factor that certainly affected tire management.
Thinking ahead to the future, let’s briefly discuss Singapore. The “usual” issues of the SF-23 could reappear on a circuit where Ferrari’s main focus will be on traction. There’s also an interesting aspect to consider regarding wing flexibility. Directive TD018 could potentially shuffle the deck in the future. Who knows, perhaps for once, it will be the Maranello team that benefits from it.
Source: Alessandro Arcari and Niccoló Arnerich for FUnoanalisitecnica
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