For Fred Vasseur, the appearance of the SF-23 has nothing to do with the concept of the car

Ferrari has kept the bathtub look in 2022 for the SF-23 when it was entered for the first six races of the 2023 season. While it was the top concept at the beginning of last season, this year, the Ferrari is far behind the leaders Red Bull and is often behind Mercedes and Aston Martin.

For the Spanish Grand Prix, a significant improvement program has been implemented. The side pods of the car have been modified, using a concept similar to Red Bull and Aston Martin.

The pontoons, however, are not a fundamental factor in terms of performance, as the car’s floor and the way the single-seaters circulate the airflow underneath to create the ground effect and the downforce are of crucial importance, as Fred Vasseur emphasized.

Appearance is not a guarantee of quality

First of all, the concept has nothing to do with the visual aspect, explained the Frenchman, before the Spanish improvements were applied to the car. The issues have nothing to do with the visual aspects of the car, but it is clear that we suffer more during the race than in qualifying.

The team manager asserts that Ferrari must find consistency in its performances. Until now, we haven’t been perfect because it’s very tight, and if you’re slightly outside the operating window, you have to push beyond the limit.

« But that doesn’t mean we have to change the concept and philosophy of the car. » New answers should be given this weekend in Canada.