Welcome at RacingNews365

Become part of the largest racing community in the United Kingdom. Create your free account now!

  • Share your thoughts and opinions about F1
  • Win fantastic prizes
  • Get access to our premium content
  • Take advantage of more exclusive benefits
Sign in

Ferrari shift to Red Bull F1 sidepod design approach

Ferrari will make a switch to a design concept that is similar to Red Bull with their latest upgrade package at the Spanish Grand Prix.

The latest upgrades from Ferrari will feature a design that takes inspiration from the Red Bull RB19, as they look to eliminate the aerodynamic problems with the SF-23. It is the first of many upgrades that the team will bring at the upcoming races, with the key area in Barcelona being their sidepod design. Ferrari's 'bathtub' inwash solution has been on their car since they launched in 2022, with Team Principal Frederic Vasseur recently claiming that the team had no issue with their car concept. But as many other teams - including most recently Mercedes - have switched to this concept, Ferrari now appears to have changed tact and now has a design that resembles their rivals. While it is not a direct copy, they feature better packaging towards the rear and for the cooling channels in the car. This has also been complimented with upgrades to their floor, which is also a significant change to their previous version.

Drivers cautious on upgrade package

Both Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc have been cautious when asked whether the upgrades will bring significant changes to their lap time. The team has been focusing on taking out the "peakiness" of the aerodynamics, which has often led to unforced errors on track. This is also the source of their tyre degradation in the races, which has been highlighted by the drivers post race as their main reason for losing pace to Red Bull. Leclerc believes the team will have a better understanding of their tyre degradation problems once they hit the track with their upgrades. "With this week's upgrade, we should have a better understanding I hope. For quite a long time we didn't really know where it was coming from," he told media, including RacingNews365.com . "We've started to understand where it's coming from and we are putting our efforts in it, but whether this will materialise when once it's on track we'll see." Check out images of the new sidepods below.

https://twitter.com/AlbertFabrega/status/1664291167893159936

Nuevos pontones y tapa motor para el Ferrari. Más túnel y mejor empaque zona radiadores. Da la sensación que tiene más pendiente hacia abajo New sidepods and engine cover for Ferrari. More under tunel and better packaging on cooling area. Seems more downwash than previous #f1 pic.twitter.com/0oiGdG6UoY — Albert Fabrega (@AlbertFabrega) June 1, 2023

https://twitter.com/albertfabrega/status/1664293627776860161

Suelo nuevo también en el Ferrari para Barcelona. Es una gran evolución. Also new floor for Ferrari. Is a big upgrade. #f1 #SpanishGP pic.twitter.com/mRIxgbidHv — Albert Fabrega (@AlbertFabrega) June 1, 2023

x
LATEST McLaren lodge protest over Norris F1 penalty