Ferrari and Red Bull have both shown through their new challengers that they were fundamentally satisfied with the designs that they had introduced in the 2022 season.
The 2022 season was marked with a new era in ground effect technical regulations, with teams pressed to bring revolutionary changes as FIA looked to make the F1 field a more even playing surface.
A “disguised revolution” was the term used to describe the new RB19, and the same term has been used for the Ferrari SF-23.
It is worth noting that Ferrari’s new challenger still uses the same principles as the F1-75, with the signature sculpted, scooped sidepods that stood out on the 2022 design still very much present.
While Ferrari has stayed true to its basic design from 2022, a deeper inspection shows that the car has been completely redesigned at a conceptual level.
The front wing
Starting off at the front wing, the outwash capabilities are a lot more apparent compared to last year, with a totally different profile of the last flap, abruptly tapering down towards the endplates.
There are also five vortex generators, or diverters, that have been used to connect two of the flaps in a similar fashion to the solution Mercedes used during last season’s United States Grand Prix.
Back then, though, the design was deemed illegal by the stewards.
As far as the nose tip is concerned, Ferrari has taken a leaf out of Red Bull’s playbook. The Scuedria has cleverly connected the nose top to a second element as opposed to the main profile of the wing.
The steering rod of the car is now present at the same level as the lower wishbone as it will help increase the aero cleanliness of this region.
The sidepods
Many small changes can be observed in the sidepods used by Ferrari.
Multiple sets of cooling cut-outs can be seen on the top profile of the sidepods. Apart from this, an additional hot air vent has also been introduced at the side of the cockpit.
The fact that the side profile tapers a lot more towards the inside only goes to show that Ferrari has done well to reduce the size of some of its components as they are taking up lesser space in the team’s newest challenger.
Additional winglets and channels on either side of the cockpit are other noticeable changes.
The floor
As far as the floor of the car is concerned, it is fair to say that it is almost a completely new concept compared to last season.
The leading edge of the floor is now placed on a single plane, instead of the two different planes used last season from the French GP onwards.
This helps in avoiding air spillage through underneath the car and will theoretically help the Ferrari mitigate the effects of porpoising.