What made Ferrari SF-23 so fast in Italy and why main issue still persist. Why Ferrari was lightning fast at Monza - and why problems still remain.

In the realm of Formula 1, an unspoken yet universally respected rule for achieving success is the pursuit of perfection across all facets, from conceptual car design to on-track operations. This comprehensive approach aims to extract the utmost potential from the racing package.

Reflecting on the 2023 Italian Grand Prix held at Monza, it becomes apparent how this principle played a pivotal role in Red Bull’s triumphant performance, marking their 14th consecutive victory of the 2023 Formula 1 championship, with Max Verstappen securing his 10th consecutive win.

However, it’s crucial to acknowledge that achieving perfection in every aspect isn’t the sole pathway to success. The Monza race was far from a cakewalk for Red Bull. Scuderia Ferrari, particularly on this track configuration and in front of its home fans, showcased its prowess as the second-best team trailing the RB19s.

Ironically, one could argue that being impeccable in all situations isn’t a prerequisite for success. Instead, it’s about capitalizing on strengths while managing imperfections effectively.

This strategic approach was vividly demonstrated during qualifying by Ferrari. Carlos Sainz secured pole position, with Charles Leclerc just 0.067 seconds behind, showcasing the SF-23’s optimal aerodynamic efficiency at Monza. This efficiency proved just sufficient to deny Verstappen pole position by a mere 0.013 seconds.

It’s noteworthy that, on most tracks throughout this season’s World Championship, aerodynamics represented a significant weak point for the Ferrari. However, at Monza, it was the linchpin upon which Ferrari’s hopes hinged.

Team principal Frederic Vasseur reminded everyone that the Italian GP “doesn’t offer more points for a victory” to temper the fervent hopes of Tifosi for a miraculous outcome.

There are two critical factors at play. The first revolves around extreme aerodynamic tuning, emphasizing top speed on the long straights. This has always been a hallmark of Ferrari’s approach, with Monza being the sole circuit where maximum speed translates to superior lap performance.

To achieve this, Ferrari opted for a very “flat” rear-wing profile and trimmed the front-wing along its entire length. Such a setup wouldn’t be suitable for any other track due to excessive tire wear and loss of downforce. However, at Monza, with its limited corners and abundant straights, these concerns are less pressing. Nevertheless, this strategy must balance the demands on engine life at Monza, where the driver is at full throttle for nearly 80% of the lap, the highest percentage on the calendar. The engine’s turbine faces particularly strenuous conditions.

The introduction of new engines in both SF-23 cars of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz provided a helpful performance boost for the Maranello team.

Furthermore, Monza’s layout accentuates the importance of the car’s dynamic setup. Formula 1 teams aim to take advantage of floor-generated downforce over wing-generated downforce to minimize drag, a remnant from the ground-effects era. Achieving this necessitates maintaining an exceptionally low ride height.

During the Monza race, the Ferrari rode so close to the ground that it prompted noticeable porpoising, although this phenomenon ultimately had no significant impact on the SF-23’s overall performance. In fact, the performance gap between qualifying and the race appeared to be minimized, rendering the qualifying results a more accurate reflection of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz’s overall performance.

Nonetheless, each race brings new challenges, and the Marina Bay track in Singapore, two weeks from now, will present an entirely distinct set of demands.

Regarding the SF-23’s aerodynamic configuration, the front-wing featured a final flap with an extremely reduced chord and minimal incidence to enhance straight-line efficiency at the cost of downforce, ultimately reducing drag.

The rear-wing of the SF-23 at Monza boasted a straight profile, necessitating a double pylon support and a flap with reduced incidence to generate minimal load while maintaining low drag. The beam-wing’s flap was retained with a minimal chord to aid in downstream airflow extraction from the diffuser.

In essence, the SF-23’s floor configuration could be described as “grazing” the track, as it maintained nearly constant contact with the asphalt. Although porpoising occurred frequently, it did not adversely affect the overall performance of the SF-23 single-seater.