Ferrari unveils new sidepod design at F1 Spanish Grand Prix

Ferrari has unveiled a new sidepod design at the Spanish Grand Prix, a departure from the design philosophy they brought to the start of the Formula 1 season.

Carlos Sainz with flow-viz aerodynamic paint on the upgraded SF-23 during Free Practice in Spain. (Pirelli)

“The first feeling is good” said team boss Frédéric Vasseur after Carlos Sainz ran the upgrade in Free Practice 1.

“It was a very intense session and we had to test the proto-tyres and we did three or four small runs of a couple of laps. Let’s have a look around everything and we’ll see over the weekend what is the situation.”

Vasseur said that while it was a large upgrade, it was not a complete overhaul of the design for the SF-23, emphasising the opportunities the new sidepods would provide for future development.

Ferrari’s previous “bathtub” style sidepod design as seen at the Australian Grand Prix. (Pirelli)

The sleek “boxy” Red Bull-style sidepods in Barcelona. (Pirelli)

“It’s a change for sure but it’s not a new car also that we are making a step forward, we are opening some doors for the development for the future but it is not a complete change.”

“It’s also for us the opportunity to open a new door for the development for the future and it was quite promising. It means that we committed on this way that let's see what the next weeks we will bring to us. But I think it was a tough decision, but it was a decision.”

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