Ferrari is determined to extend the season beyond its eighth race. Carlos Sainz sits fifth in the world championship, 130 points behind leader Max Verstappen of Red Bull. Charles Leclerc, who challenged the Dutch driver at this point last year, is seventh in the standings, 14 points behind his teammate. Yet in Maranello the mood is far from surrender. The team has pledged full focus on developing the SF23 before the summer break.
Last week the Scuderia made use of a one hundred kilometer test day allowed by the FIA to trial new components on the car. While Fiorano’s low-speed track may not mirror the demands of what lies ahead at the Red Bull Ring for the Austrian Grand Prix, the session produced a wealth of data that helped correlate the car’s early 2023 form with the evolution introduced in Barcelona during the Spanish Grand Prix, with additional parts added and other elements refined.
Reports from Motorsport indicate the car incorporated deeper cooling gills than those seen in Spain and Canada. The front wing also received notable modifications. While Sainz collected the updates, Leclerc tested a key innovation, a revised flat underside. Led by team principal Fred Vasseur, Ferrari aims to unlock pace, challenge Aston Martin and Mercedes, and close the gap to the relentless Red Bulls.
The aerodynamic package, different mapping strategies and powertrain configurations under evaluation at Fiorano are part of an ambitious plan to exploit not only the two races at Spielberg this weekend but also a busy four-race stretch before July. The approach remains simple in intent: put more of the SF23’s potential on the track before turning attention to next season’s car.
In an interview with Corriere della Sera, Vasseur admitted that simulations underestimated some negative behavior of the car, necessitating a compromise between outright performance and drivability. He described the current sensation as positive and signaled a readiness to press on, noting that progress is being made.
Vasseur recalled the Canada race as a turning point. He explained that while the car had shown speed in qualifying, it proved difficult to harness over a full race distance. Turning the situation around took months and began in the wind tunnel after issues first surfaced in Bahrain in March, he said.
The Frenchman also outlined new staffing plans for 2025, including the recruitment of a senior technician. He emphasized a broader push to bring in expertise from outside Ferrari to accelerate development across all departments and to accelerate faster than rivals. He stressed that investment in the team’s future is a priority and that the hiring drive would help achieve that objective.
Sainz and Leclerc: renewal conversations in view
Vasseur spoke about the strengths each driver brings and touched on ongoing renewal discussions. Talks with Leclerc, who achieved a victory in Austria a year ago, along with negotiations with Sainz’s management, are on hold for the moment.
He noted that he did not pick either driver, but values both highly. Sainz provides consistent, vital technical feedback and forms a winning pairing with Leclerc. The team principal also suggested Sainz is undervalued, reinforcing the sense of mutual trust within the squad. These remarks appeared in an interview with Corriere della Sera.
The French manager confirmed that Leclerc and Sainz have raised the subject of contract extensions, which are due to expire at the end of 2024. He indicated that the 18-month deadline remains in place and cautioned that raising the renewal topic too early could be distracting. The priority remains for Carlos and Charles to collaborate on further developing the car, after which talks about extensions would be revisited in the summer or later.
Vasseur warned of the risk of losing drivers but stressed that both are committed to the project and eager to stay and contend for wins. The emphasis, he reiterated, is on the team making mature, coordinated decisions across all areas while continuing on-track progress.