No upgrades for Zandvoort/Monza, but upgrades after that before the end of the season.
Engine on track
Says that Carlos' management will talk "soon" with ferrari about contracts & that they have 4-5 months to sort it
https://formu1a.uno/vasseur-vettura-202 ... e-a-monza/
Vasseur: “Very different 2024 car. Updates on the SF-23 but not in Holland and Monza"
The Ferrari SF-23 was the car that should have tried to bring at least one of the two world titles back to Maranello. Instead, it immediately proved to be a problematic car , which on the track did not show the good things that came out of the instruments in the Maranello factory, so much so that the CEO, Benedetto Vigna, defined it on the day of the presentation as a "single-seater that it will be unprecedented in terms of speed”. Sometimes, the teams see important improvements in the tunnel and on the simulator, but then they go to the track and it's all too sensitive . What happened last year to Mercedes, this year to Ferrari and more in the short term to Aston Martin. It is the great difficulty of these regulations where, "the flow structures under each car are more complicated and much more volatile" than the previous generation, to quote Mercedes' Andrew Shovlin. This requires a completely different approach from the teams.
Vasseur: “There will be a carry-over between the SF-23 and the 2024 car, a totally different project starting from the chassis.”
Vasseur confirmed that further updates will be seen on the SF-23 between now and the end of the season, but not in Holland and Monza. “ We still have some updates to introduce, but later, before the end of the season”. Regarding the 2024 project, he immediately wanted to be clear: the SF-23 and next year's car will not share the same chassis . "The 2024 project is totally different, we will have a carry-over between the two cars but it won't concern the chassis and bodywork" said the French manager.
A car that will follow the concepts brought to the track by Red Bull, now by many other teams, but not only because they are also working on their own innovations in Maranello . Regarding the RB19, Vasseur believes that the Anglo-Austrian car does not have a single area where it is much stronger than the other cars.“I think they are stronger everywhere and are getting the most out of every macro area: riders, engine, chassis, aerodynamics, suspension, strategy. I think it would be a mistake to say they are much better than us in this or that sector. Rather we must try to make the best of what we have in every single sector and take a small step forward everywhere. We're talking about two tenths, it could be two tenths of aerodynamics but in reality I think it's more a matter of cents that come from many areas".
The French manager then wanted to comment on the situation that sees Lewis Hamilton still without a valid contract for next season. " I think it's the same situation as the last 10 years with Lewis , I'm in discussions and I don't know what the problem is, if there is a problem." However, he was keen to reiterate that these are not discussions that concern him. Those on a possible renewal of Carlos Sainz, however, yes, so much so that he wanted to throw water on the fire about a Spanish rider who is a bit in the shade since we talk about renewal.“I think that with Carlos we are in line on everything. We have 18 months to discuss and we want to start next season with a clear situation with our riders. This means that we will have to talk about it before the end of this season, but we still have 4 or 5 months ahead of us to decide. However we are completely on the same line of thought with Carlos and the management of him and we will talk soon ”.
Vasseur and Marko's words on the 2026 engines: “His is just a little game. We are pushing, but like everyone I believe.”
In recent days, Helmut Marko has released statements to the German media that have caused a lot of talk, especially with regard to the situation which, according to the Austrian manager, sees Ferrari and Audi lagging behind on the development of the 2026 engines . doing Helmut, I don't want to comment on the situation of the others because we are pushing and I think we are in a good situation.” – did know Vasseur – “We certainly want to do better and better, develop more, have more options and be ahead but it is the same for everyone and I sincerely want to avoid making comments on the situation of others”.
From the recent rumors collected, it has emerged that especially Mercedes is doing quite well today with the development of the next generation of drive units , with Red Bull immediately behind, and Ferrari slightly detached but without any concern about it, at least after hearing from Vasseur. “Our development is going well, we certainly want to do more, like everyone on the grid, it's the mentality of an F1 team: if you give the guys something they will want more, this mentality is very important but we are following the plan and we are even ahead of schedule and everything is ok on our part”. The one who is suffering the most is certainly Audi.
Free practice 1 for Ferrari rookies: Robert Shwartzman will be in the Netherlands on Sainz's SF-23
With regard to the two mandatory free practice sessions for the Rookies to be carried out, Ferrari had not used any slots up to Belgium. He will do it in Holland. In fact, Robert Shwartzman will take the place of Carlos Sainz during the first free practice next weekend. While, probably in Abu Dhabi, it will be the second opportunity for the Russian driver to drive the SF23, this time by Charles Leclerc.
Why in Holland? " There wasn't much choice , as you can't do Singapore, Japan and Las Vegas, and there are also sprint events in Qatar, and races with different tire allocations." However, many have wondered why Ferrari F2 drivers are not employed. Vasseur was very clear on this point of view, talking about private tests for them over the next few weeks. “They have to focus on the F2 championship, we will try to give them opportunities to test the 2021 car or something else before the end of the season. But I want to push them to concentrate on F2″ stated the French engineer.
In conclusion, a joke on the budget cap issue could not be missing , where the three teams Ferrari is struggling with in the Constructors (Red Bull, Mercedes, Aston Martin) were asked for additions/clarifications to the budgets presented. “ In July, the FIA informed us that the results of the cost cap will arrive by the beginning of September. I have full faith in the FIA and I expect them to come with the cost cap results according to plan ” concluded an always diplomatic TP Ferrari.
