Ferrari, the countermeasures for the Jeddah GP. Speed ​​and the fight against porpoising – Corriere.it

Red Bull showed up at the opening race in Bahrain reiterating its strength. Basically, time seems to have stopped compared to the values ​​seen in the second half of last year. In Maranello they had arrived at the summer break with a delay in points linked to reliability but not to performance. Upon his return, Ferrari found himself 7 tenths behind Red Bull, the same accused in the race at Sakhir and probably for similar reasons.

A fundamental question

The F1-75 had suffered an important limitation having to raise the floor due to the famous technical directive 39, losing a significant percentage of load. The 2023 single-seaters belong to the same generation, however the changes to the floor level seem to have dragged some teams – including Ferrari and McLaren – into a dangerous technical vortex. The SF-23, unlike for example the excellent Aston Martin, an evolution and not a revolution. The technical office had decided to continue to rely on the aerodynamic concept with which the 2022 car was born. David Sanchez – the head of the aerodynamic project – resigned, leaving an important position vacant. In addition, according to what was leaked there would have been a phone call between Vasseur and Binotto upon returning from Sakhir.

The void left by Sanchez

At the moment there are no external successors to Sanchez, only internal resources. Diego Tondi, the manager of the aerodynamics department, would therefore immediately be the legitimate successor for that area, barring other twists and turns. Sanchez’s farewell was rather unexpected in terms of timing, however the developments on the SF-23 they have already been approved until May. However, it is clear that the expert French engineer did not want to take on the responsibility of taking part in the corrections of the current single-seater, nor in the new 676 project for 2024 which will have to start in a few weeks.

Countermeasures for Jeddah

Ferrari will show up in Jeddah with the team principal’s reassuring words about the unexpressed potential, but will have to cushion some internal shocks. Technically speaking however, the very fast Arab track has characteristics practically opposite to that of Sakhir and should be more accommodating to Ferrari. If there’s one positive thing the Reds showed in Bahrain is speed and efficiency on the straight. Red Bull pulverized the competition in the opening race but the picture is still partial. The Bahrain configurations provide for the search for medium-high loads through the wings, while Ferrari presented itself not only with a technical delay, but showing an immature and unconvincing approach. Too weak in support and exiting medium-slow corners, therefore with insufficient aerodynamic load.

The straights will help Ferrari

Leclerc in Bahrain could also have fought for pole

but if he had finished the race he would have accused a very clear delay from Verstappen and Perez, being forced to resist the return of Alonso. In Jeddah, efficiency is much more important than cornering speeds and the SF-23 should be able to cut the performance gap due to its one degree softer Pirelli compound characteristics. In addition, the RB19, but also the excellent Aston AMR23, may not be able to afford to use more loaded wings than the competition in order not to remain too weak in the very long straights. If this is true they will approach the downforce levels of Ferrari and Mercedes, and it is possible that it will open up the opportunity for a different qualifying, perhaps a less obvious race. It being understood that the thermal degradation suffered by the Maranello car – and the problems of Hamilton and Russell’s W14 – leave important questions that cannot be resolved in a few days. Porpoising dramatically increases tire degradation. It is necessary to modify the bottom to cut the hopping and increase the load.

Fighting porpoising

Red Bull’s domination of Ferrari and Mercedes is closely linked not only to the load generated but also to porpoising, something that Red Bull seem to have totally under control. We saw it clearly both on the RB19 and on the surprising Aston Martin, a single-seater designed – not surprisingly – by Newey’s former right-hand man. Ferrari blamed porpoising with a medium drag wing and the problem that it would be more invasive with more loaded wings. A shake-free car offers the ability to be very aggressive, while maintaining reasonably plush set-up options for curb-crossing and traction, without overheating and marring the tyres. Conversely, a forcibly rigid configuration cuts down on hopping but greatly reduces the window of use of the single-seater if there is not enough aerodynamic downforce. TO Jeddah will need speed morebut Ferrari must solve its porpoising in a reasonably short time, modifying both the venturi channels under the floor and probably putting a hand on the edges of the floor, so as to increase the payload and the incidence of the wings, especially when returning to circuits requiring strong traction such as Melbourne and Imola.