A difficult start for the Italian team in the 2023 Formula 1 season, which is still in the process of being improved to better understand its performance.
Italian team Ferrari has had a rocky start to the 2023 Formula 1 season. Despite scoring just one podium finish to date, the team languishes in fourth position in the Constructors’ Championship. According to Carlos Sainzthe Spanish Ferrari driver, the team is still in the process of understanding the causes behind your car’s inconsistent performancethe SF-23.
Ferrari lived his most discouraging weekend of the year in Miami. Sainz’s teammate Charles Leclerc was unable to improve on his seventh place on the starting grid, while Sainz fell two positions, from third to fifth. Both drivers highlighted after the race that their SF-23 was too unpredictable in race conditions, a problem the Scuderia is still trying to resolve.
The unpredictability of the SF-23 a challenge to solve in F1
Sainz explained that this year they are dealing more with the unpredictability of the car than with a real lack of sensation or something like that. According to him, the car can feel in harmony in one session, and then in the next, something changes and they are no longer there. Sainz also noted that this affects them more on race day than in new soft tire and low fuel conditions.
Sainz also regretted that this year’s car may not be as competitive as last year’s. Despite the fact that he has managed to adapt to the characteristics of the SF-23, the Spanish driver has noticed that the competitiveness of the car has decreased compared to the previous season. However, he also highlighted that, since the first free practice session of each weekend, he has managed to be “on top of the car”, which he considers a good step.
The contrast between Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc
While Charles Leclerc has had highlights this season, Taking pole position and a third place in Baku, his aggressive approach has led him to face heavy criticism after crashing on back-to-back days over the Miami weekend. On the other hand, although Sainz has not enjoyed the same performance peaks as his teammate, he has been the most consistent driver within the Ferrari team.
Despite expectations that Ferrari can achieve its first victory of the 2023 season at the Monaco GP, Sainz insists that Red Bull they are still the team to beat in Monte Carlo. Red Bull has dominated so far in 2023, winning every race, but reigning champion Max Verstappen has acknowledged that Monaco could be one of his weaknesses.
