Ferrari introduced a 'three-dimensional' floor in Austria, which, in effect, is characterised by lower 'pockets' that prevent triggering porpoising. Silverstone constitutes the most objective test bench for evaluating whether - with reduced ride heights, thus increasing the aerodynamic load generated by the surface - aerodynamic jolts are kept under control and practically cancelled by the new conformation of the surface. The decision not to introduce a new diffuser at Silverstone should therefore be seen from this point of view, while the path of drastically reducing ride heights on both cars has been followed. The feedback obtained on the track in all the free practice sessions held, including FP3 in wet conditions, has revealed how much the car's behaviour at a dynamic level has progressively approached that of its rival - Red Bull's RB19. The mix of the detailed configuration of the Venturi channels, ride heights and suspension set-up has largely made it possible to assimilate the behaviour of the Ferrari to that of the Red Bull. It is correct to reiterate that the RB19 enjoys an undoubted advantage in terms of the geometry of the front suspension characterised by an accentuated anti-dive prerogative which systematically reduces the longitudinal oscillations caused by load transfers. Ferrari was unable to modify its suspension as it would have required the re-homologation of the chassis - which is incompatible with the stringent limits imposed by the budget cap. But it can be correctly argued that the development process undertaken by the Maranello aerodynamicists goes in the desired direction of a progressive performance improvement of the SF-23, and also constitutes an indication of the direction that will be followed in determining the concept of the 2024 car.
A crucial point of the RB19's competitiveness lies in the suspension geometry, with particular attention to the front, which determines a pitch centre very close to the car's centre of gravity. This greatly reduces the triggering of porpoising with minimal ride heights
Ferrari's new floor has allowed a different distribution of the downforce points of the car and reduced, thanks to a discontinuity of the pressures under the floor, the triggering of porpoising with reduced ride heights
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