Ferrari debuts Red Bull-inspired sidepod upgrade for Spanish GP
Ferrari's new Red Bull-style sidepod solution unveiled ahead of Spanish Grand Prix. The revamped SF-23 features a horizontal upper surface, inspired by Red Bull's downwash design, enhancing airflow into the diffuser area.
Ferrari has made a significant change to its Formula 1 car ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix, adopting a Red Bull-style sidepod design.
The new sidepods, which have been spotted for the first time, mark a departure from Ferrari's traditional in-wash style concept in favor of a downwash solution.
This move comes as Ferrari aims to address its struggles over race distances despite its strong single-lap performance.
Revamping the Sidepods
New images from Barcelona showcase the radical transformation of Ferrari's sidepods.
The new design completely eliminates the central bathtub section that has been a distinguishing feature of Ferrari cars since 2022.
Instead, the Italian team has opted for a more horizontal upper surface that effectively channels airflow into the diffuser area, similar to Red Bull's concept.
Notably, this downwash ramp variant is consistent with solutions employed by other teams such as Alpine, Aston Martin, and Mercedes.
Building on Experience
While Ferrari's new sidepod design draws inspiration from Red Bull, the team has leveraged its own expertise in surface contouring.
The outgoing bathtub-style solution has provided Ferrari with valuable experience in developing this type of surface configuration.
🚨| Ferrari is reportedly introducing Red Bull-style sidepods at the #SpanishGP.
— F1News.live (@f1newslive_) June 1, 2023
#F1 [Motorsport Italy] pic.twitter.com/3rplwKC5sG
The new sidepods retain certain elements from their predecessor, including the inlet, undercut, and S-shaped chassis duct, although their functionality may have been slightly altered.
Refinements and Tweaks
In addition to the overall design overhaul, Ferrari has made some smaller refinements to further enhance performance.
One notable change can be observed in the mirror housings, with the upper slat now shortened to expose the outer section of the mirror body.
These adjustments demonstrate Ferrari's meticulous attention to detail and commitment to maximizing the aerodynamic efficiency of its car.
Seeking Answers and Performance Improvements
Ferrari's decision to shift to a Red Bull-inspired sidepod design stems from the team's pursuit of answers regarding its race pace struggles.
Despite the car's impressive speed during qualifying sessions, Ferrari has found it challenging to maintain consistent performance over longer distances.
The team attributes this issue to an aerodynamic platform that lacks stability, resulting in difficulties for the drivers in adapting to varying grip levels and wind conditions during races.
Carlos Sainz's Praise for Ferrari's Effort
Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz expressed his satisfaction with the team's efforts in bringing the major upgrade to the Spanish Grand Prix.
He commended the tireless work undertaken by the engineers at Maranello to expedite the package's development.
Originally scheduled for a later stage in the season, the upgrade represents a significant advancement and a testament to the dedication of the entire Ferrari factory.
Sainz remarked, "I think I cannot complain about the package we're bringing here."
You cannot imagine the effort Maranello has done in trying to bring this package forward."
It was supposed to come a lot later in the season, and the whole factory was just flat out these last few months because of the situation to try and bring it earlier."
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