In a 2023 Formula One season where aspiring to be the second force is often the maximum goal for teams without Red Bull livery, the battle between Ferrari and Mercedes in the overall standings is the center of attention with two races to go.
In Brazil, the Scuderia has slightly closed the gap on the black arrows, now standing at 20 points, and Jock Clear’s words express confidence for the Las Vegas event: “In Las Vegas, it will go well. All our indications tell us that it will be a low aerodynamic load circuit, and as such, we are confident of being competitive.”
Indeed, the Nevada circuit features three long straights, one of which is almost 2 km long, which, on paper, suits the characteristics of the SF-23 well.
However, Ferrari’s Senior Performance Engineer is aware that tire usage will be the key: “Our car goes in and out of the correct window quite quickly. In a race, you can’t work with such a narrow window because temperatures change, as do the tires. You need a slightly wider operating window. This is where the strength of Red Bull lies.”
Ferrari Tire Management: Simulations Don’t Resolve Doubts
It is precisely in tire usage that Ferrari’s certainties fall. The latest simulations have not provided exciting data, a sign that learning the correct exploitation of the covers has not yet ensured the expected values, making Maranello’s expectations more cautious.
As mentioned, the track should favor lighter aerodynamic configurations, with expected peaks of over 350 km/h. However, questions persist about the timing of the event (the race will be held at 10:00 PM local time), especially considering the high temperature variation due to the nearby desert.
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To cope with the unprecedented conditions, with temperatures potentially dropping to 5 degrees, Pirelli has chosen to equip teams with the softer tire compounds (C3, C4, and C5).
Regarding the aerodynamic configuration, the search for the correct tire operating window will likely lead teams not to opt for excessively lightweight wing profiles. More likely, instead, is the adoption of front wings similar to those seen on circuits like Spa-Francorchamps.
In this perspective, teams will benefit from the absence of the Sprint format. With three Free Practice sessions, teams will have more time to determine setups for qualifying and the race.
We’ll see if, at Ferrari, the caution adopted by the Scuderia will prove excessive, rewarding instead Jock Clear’s optimistic predictions. What is certain so far is that all teams approach the weekend with a strong sense of uncertainty. If mechanical components are not subjected to particular stress, tire management will represent a significant unknown, even for Pirelli itself.
Source: f1ingenerale
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