Bahrain and the performance of Red Bull froze the enthusiasm of the Prancing Horse. But ahead, in addition to a still long calendar, there are the great strength of its riders and the developments to be implemented. Furthermore, the SF-23…
March 06
– sakhir (bahrain)
Let’s make it clear immediately to avoid misunderstandings: starting a season with speed problems in the race, tire wear and reliability is perhaps the worst that could have happened to Ferrari. And that maybe they didn’t even expect in Maranello. The start of the 2023 World Cup was a shock, partly because Red Bull’s technical advantage scares and doesn’t seem easily approachable. But also because the declarations and enthusiasm at the start of the season, although partly justified by the pressure to win Ferrari from all sides, including the media and fans, had prompted the protagonists themselves to loosen their prudence a little. From Fred Vasseur, to the riders, it must be admitted, a little optimism had filtered through, even just talking about the World Championship objective and the improvement of the second place in 2022. Instead, even thinking about how 2022 had started, with a one-two finish on the same track , the 2023 Bahrain GP was like a bucket of cold water in the face.
identity
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Having clarified this, Ferrari must necessarily cling to its identity and its desire for excellence to go back up, as has often happened in its long history. We are only in the first race and there are 22 more races to attack. Leclerc’s hot words made an impression, almost as if there were no more possibilities. That “I’m in another class” referring to Red Bull resembled a declaration of advance surrender that surely neither Charles nor the team will implement. Red Bull and Max Verstappen already seem to have flown away on the wings of an RB19 which is fast, reliable and with Perez’s second place (also in qualifying), it has proven to be the reference for all the competition. So no hope?
speed
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The next races will give the answer, in the meantime Ferrari must react. Yes, but starting from what? Saturday evening, after qualifying, a very different wind was blowing at the Cavallino. It’s true that GPs aren’t won with pole positions, 2022 proved it. However, the trend seen last year seems to be confirmed again this year, on the flying lap the SF-23 can play its cards against Red Bull. Leclerc sacrificed the second fast attempt to save a set of soft tires for the race, a move which the strength of the RB19 then almost canceled out, but according to the Cavallino data, the front row and perhaps the pole itself could be attacked. “It’s not certain that I would have succeeded – commented Leclerc – but I would have come close”.
pilots and developments
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A second reason that can energize Ferrari is the performance of its drivers. In Bahrain both Leclerc and Sainz ran well. Leclerc was very strong in qualifying and equally in the race, with a brilliant start in which he overtook Perez in pursuit of Alonso. Then he gave everything and without the technical failure the podium probably would have been within reach. The same can be said for Carlos Sainz junior. The Spaniard was the author of a consistent race: fourth place, considering the problems of his weekend, is the least that could be done. He has the SF-23 in hand more than he had the F1-75 at the start of last season, which is definitely a positive. And finally there is a third factor to hold on to, developments. Ferrari certainly has a few more tokens to play in the season than Red Bull, a deliberately rocketing game but penalized by the sanction for the 2021 budget cap not respected. Of course, here we are already more in the field of expectations than certainties. But the request and the objective that Maranello has given themselves with respect to 2022 are these, to also grow in the quality of the updates over the course of an entire season; opponents like Red Bull and Max Verstappen can only (attempt to) be beaten in this way.
06 March 2023 (change 06 March 2023 | 12:55)
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