Ferrari is one of the most successful Formula One teams in history (F1). As of 2021, they had won 16 Constructors’ Championships, 15 Drivers’ Championships, and 238 Grand Prix victories, making them the most successful team in F1 history. Michael Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel, Kimi Raikkonen, Niki Lauda, and Juan Manuel Fangio are some of the most famous Ferrari drivers. Ferrari’s success is based on a mix of innovative engineering, skilled drivers, and a commitment to excellence in all aspects of the sport.
The Italians however have not won a single piece of silverware since 2008 even though they had adept drivers such as Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen. They unveiled their challenger for the 2023 season from Maranello. The drivers, Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc took the SF-23 on a lap around the nearby Fiorano circuit.
Things you LOVE to see: pic.twitter.com/ogIyY2d9jP
— Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) February 14, 2023
The Reds are calling their all-new car ‘completely redesigned’. The head of the chassis, Enrico Cardile said that the suspension has also been redesigned in order to improve aerodynamics and expand the range of adjustments that can be made to the car on the track and that the most obvious changes were in the area of the front suspension.
The livery is Red, and features exposed carbon fiber on the rear and front wings, along with the halo and the rear of the shark fin. The Shell logo is featured on the nose and the side pods. Other sponsors also take their place in their previous slots. Overall, the car is nothing but pleasing to the eyes.
Fans react to the SF-23
Fans really loved the launch and have a very positive undivided opinion of the livery. They did, of course, notice the exposed carbon fiber theme that all the cars this season are following. Ferrari didn’t hold back with the launch and took the car out for a spin on the track. Fans were satisfied with this sequence. One commented, “Finally felt like a real car launch. Thankyou guys… great mood.. great sequence..”
Finally felt like a real car launch. Thankyou guys… great mood.. great sequence..
— shilpi tewari (@shilpitewari) February 14, 2023
IM IN LOVEEEEE (show Charles this) pic.twitter.com/8TQsfuPwc8
— yasmin ¹⁶°⁵⁵ (@c2luvr) February 14, 2023
Still not over this ❤️
— Anastasia ¹ ⁶ ; DANKE SEB 🏎 (@anaferrarilover) February 14, 2023
The only ‘constructive’ comments upon the SF-23 were that the fans expect the strategy to be up to the mark and the car to be competitive like the last year’s.
Ferrari’s 2022 season was riddled with bad strategy
Ferrari Drivers performed well in 2022, the only flaw being their race strategy. Charles Leclerc finished second with 308 points in the WDC standings just above Red Bull’s Sergio Perez. On the other hand, Carlos Sainz picked up his first win at Silverstone and ended the season in 5th place with 246 points.
Ferrari had the better car of the rest of the grid and was the only threat to Red Bull but a series of strategic mistakes caused them to drift more and more away from both titles. Charles Leclerc ended the season with 3 wins in the bag and 11 podiums whereas Carlos Sainz ended the season with 1 win and 9 podiums.
A much deserved maiden win for Carlos Sainz 🙌
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 6, 2022
David Tremayne looks back on a memorable victory while reflecting on what might have been for Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton #BritishGP #F1 https://t.co/M0nKA0Lots
The driver from Monaco commented on the 2022 season that “[I have] mixed feelings about this season, but second place is quite good. I just hope it is a step forward, and that for next year we can do another step forward.”
As a result of the strategic blunders and much criticism from the Tifosi, team manager Mattia Binotto resigned and was replaced by Fred Vasseur.
Ferrari’s 2023 Sponsors, Plans, and Strategy
In Fred Vasseur’s first media call, he said that “I’m really convinced that Ferrari today, and, for sure, my experience is limited to the last two weeks, but we have everything to win,”
In the launch ceremony, Leclerc called the car his ‘valentine’ and that he looks forward to the upcoming season. He specified that “The goal is to win, clearly,”.
Carlos Sainz, on the other hand, specified that the team was ‘moving forward’ and that they could be a contender for titles in the future.
MORE exclusive content? Oh go on then 😎
— Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) February 14, 2023
Check them out via #SFApp 📱
With the aerodynamic improvements in the all-new SF-23, Ferrari has reworked the engine to deliver more reliably. They look to improve their overall race and tyre strategy in the upcoming season and if they just manage to do that, good days might be beckoning for the Tifosi.