Ferrari does not want to leave the season after eight races. Carlos Sainz is in fifth place at the World Cup, 130 points behind leaders Max Verstappen (Red Bull). And Charles Leclerc, who had faced the Dutch driver at this point a year ago, now takes seventh place in the championship, 14 points less than his partner. But in Maranello they are not giving up and have decided to devote themselves to the development of SF23 before the summer break.
Last week, the Scuderia took advantage of the one hundred kilometer ‘shooting day’ the FIA allowed to test new elements on its car. And while the low-speed Fiorano circuit isn’t important to what’s waiting for them this weekend The Red Bull Ring, the scene of the Austrian Grand Prix, was able to gather a lot of information and establish a correlation between the data. Between the version they started the 2023 season with and the evolution they introduced in Barcelona during the Spanish GP, adding new parts and optimizing others.
As reported by ‘Motorsport’, the car had new gills that were “deeper” than those seen in Spain and Canada. In addition, the front wing was significantly modified. While these updates were made by Sainz, Leclerc tested its most important innovation, the new flat sole. Led by Fred Vasseur, the team hopes to find the performance to return to the podium, take on Aston Martin and Mercedes and get as close as possible to the stubborn Red Bulls.
The aerodynamic package, different maps and powertrain configurations Ferrari is testing at the Fiorano allow them to hopefully welcome not only the two races at Spielberg this weekend, but also the four Grand Prix, a busy month before July. summer holiday. At Maranello, they insist on putting their entire arsenal into the SF23 before focusing their efforts on next season’s car.
In an interview with ‘Corriere della Sera’, Vasseur said, “The simulations had underestimated some of the negative aspects of the car’s behavior, so we had to find a compromise between performance and manageability. Now, the sensations are good and we get started.” to see progress.”
“We were able to make progress in Canada. We knew what happened to this car from day one, it was fast in qualifying, it was only one lap away, but it was difficult to drive in the race. We had to turn the boat.” “This is something that took months, the process started in the wind tunnel after discovering the problems in Bahrain in March,” he said.
The Frenchman explains that they are hiring a senior technician for 2025. “Reinforcements have to come in all departments, I’m pressing people from outside the Ferrari world to provide outside information. We need to grow faster than others. It’s time to accelerate, and that’s why we’re hiring people and investing in the future,” he says.
Sainz and Leclerc refresh is in the air
Vasseur also talks about the strengths of his two riders and discusses the renewal of each. Negotiations with Leclerc, who won in Austria a year ago, as well as talks with Carlos Sainz’s manager, are ‘waited’ for now.
“I didn’t choose Carlos, but I didn’t choose Charles either, I found them… But I’m happy with both. Carlos gives regular and important technical indicators. He makes a winning pair with Charles. I think Sainz is undervalued”, confirms Vasseur ” At the Corriere della Sera.
The French driver acknowledges that representatives of Leclerc and Sainz have raised the issue of extending their contracts, which will expire at the end of 2024. “The deadline is 18 months. Right now, bringing up the renewal issue can be a distraction, and I’ve said that to my driver representatives. The priority is for Carlos and Charles to work together to develop the car. Then we’ll start talking about it during Summer or later.” says Vasseur.
“There is always a risk of losing drivers. Both are interested in the project, they want to stay and win. But we have to think as a team and mature in all areas. The steps we need to take as a team,” he insists.