Throughout the 2023 Formula 1, the SF-23 single-seater has undergone three significant developments, two of which were noticeable, and one was more discreet, as explained by F1 expert Paolo D’Alessandro for formu1a.uno.
The major breakthroughs occurred at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona with a philosophy change regarding the bellies and at the Red Bull Ring in Austria with the introduction of a new front wing and bottom.
However, the initial step was taken at the Albert Park circuit in Melbourne, a stage often mentioned by drivers and team principals, acknowledging the progress made and the main advancements achieved.
At the 5.278-kilometre Albert Park Circuit, a modified floor was tested by the Italian side, which had been introduced and tested only in Jeddah. This alteration aimed to reduce porpoising and extract more load from that area of the car. Additionally, new mechanical adjustments were discovered.
The Maranello team’s primary focus was to find a mechanical setup that would bring the SF-23 closer to the simulations conducted in Maranello, leading to a new line of development in Spain and Austria. This new aerodynamic approach took inspiration from performance concepts seen in Red Bull and Aston Martin.
Nonetheless, Maranello’s year-long knowledge remained intact, resulting in a rather unique sidepods configuration.
Show your support for Scuderia Ferrari with official merchandise collection! Click here to enter the F1 online Store and shop securely! And also get your F1 tickets for every race with VIP hospitality and unparalleled insider access. Click here for the best offers to support Charles and Carlos from the track!
The changes, including the protruding Venturi Channels in the floor, brought the SF-23 closer in line with the RB19 (or RB18) regarding its behavior. It also contributed to a more stable rear, eliminating porpoising and increasing overall downforce. As a result, the car suffered less at medium-high speeds, even surpassing Aston Martin, which was facing challenges, and Mercedes, searching for significant progress in this area.
While load levels play a crucial role in these analyses, the SF-23 appeared on the track with lighter configurations than Mercedes, Red Bull, and McLaren at Silverstone and the 7.004-kilometre Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Stavelot. It proved competitive in certain traits, such as Copse, Maggots-Becketts, and the second sector of Spa, where only a dominant Max Verstappen and a highly charged McLaren had an advantage.
The SF-23 showcased its strengths in both qualifying sessions and the Sprint, demonstrating its unique attributes. However, the points are earned during the race, and it remains to be seen if the chosen set-up, rather than an unloaded one, will enable the SF-23 single-seater to go on the offensive or only defend against McLaren and, above all, Mercedes, the current favorite for the top spot in the “F2 championship”, according to Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff, who in this way wanted to emphasize the huge advantage in terms of performance that Max Verstappen has over his rivals in this 2023 Formula 1 campaign.
Leave a Reply