Photo credit: Scuderia Ferrari Media
At the end of the Belgian GP, Ferrari can breathe a sigh of relief, strengthened by Leclerc’s podium which, after difficult races, once again brings out the potential of the SF-23. A step forward which, in fact, prompted the team to launch a courageous new development program (up to the United States GP) to save 2023 and finish in second place among the manufacturers. And, according to rumors, the biggest one will come for their home race at the Italian GP.
It was a positive weekend, the one experienced by Ferrari in Belgium, which ended with the podium for Charles Leclerc. Positive weekend both for the final result (the third podium of the year) but also, if not above all, for what we saw during the three days on the Belgian track. Data in hand, in fact, after a period of crisis, the SF-23 did not reveal any tyre problems, it proved to be fast and more predictable in each session and, above all, capable of giving the drivers confidence. A better picture than in previous races to which the developments brought to the track for the Spanish GP probably contributed (with a work of understanding and improvement).
A weekend which, therefore, represented a test for Ferrari. It’s a test passed and which, according to ‘Motorsport.com‘, prompted the Prancing Horse technicians to change plans, deciding not to abandon development of the SF-23 but to continue to bring updates race by race from the Dutch GP to Austin. It’s a decision aimed at saving the season and finishing in second place among the constructors.
“Ferrari has a plan: try to climb back to second place in the second part of the championship, focusing on the more constant performance of the SF-23. […] The Scuderia’s goal is Mercedes.”
Developments that, in fact, will go in the same direction taken on the weekend of the Spanish GP.
“The Scuderia reaped less than it sowed, making a series of mistakes. […] The Reds changed face in a Spanish GP […] which gave the car a new aerodynamic setup with the new bellies featuring a semi-chute in place of the top scoop, following a development that inspired others as well […] It defended well in Canada and Austria, disappointed at Silverstone and Budapest and showed signs of revival in Spa.”
A plan that hopefully intends to suspend and overtake rivals, counting on the fact that many of them will divert money and energy towards 2024, while Cardile’s technicians will try to squeeze more juice from the red.
“Leclerc’s podium indicates that, when they put everything in a row in Maranello, the potential of the SF-23 can emerge. […] This is why the Reparto Corse want to see where they can go. […] While at the restart there will be teams that will begin to limit developments to stay within the budget cap, […] the redhead will try to insist on updates. Changes have been launched that will be spread up to the United States GP.”
News spread over various races but which, according to rumors, will arrive in greater quantities at the Italian GP, where the new sidepods should make their debut.
“A sign that the Cavallino had kept a margin on the Budget cap and was able to invest […] We will see some things appear already for the Dutch GP, but particular attention will be focused on Monza, where an unloaded aerodynamic configuration will be needed. Rumours speak of a new sidepod design, with more extreme choices despite the design constraints.”
Development work on the SF-23 which, in fact, will also be useful for the 2024 project.
“[…] The information gathered during the evolution of the SF-23 could be transferred to the new machine being developed under the technical guidance of Enrico Cardile. Ferrari believes in its capabilities. […] Vasseur is determined to go all the way, to try to straighten out a much more complicated, difficult and disappointing championship than expected.”
