The new regulations that came into effect ahead of the 2022 season forced teams to entirely rethink the aerodynamic aspects of their car designs.
Ferrari improved drastically in the new era of F1, becoming true title challengers for the first time in a number of years.
The Scuderia eventually fell some way short of eventual champions Red Bull, with the RB-18 proving too quick and reliable of a car to compete with over the course of a whole season.
Heading into the 2023 season, the rumours have suggested that the SF-23 could be over a full second quicker than its predecessor, with a number of changes to both the engine and the design of the car making a huge difference.
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One of the main differences between last season’s car and this year’s is the height of the chassis and suspension, with the Scuderia significantly lowering it compared to last year.
This is with the aim creating a channel that will direct more of the airflow through the venturi channels on the underside of the car, vastly improving the aerodynamic capabilities of the car.
Italian aerodynamicist Enrico Cardile has been taking charge of this project and has explained why Ferrari have chosen to adopt this different approach.
“The most evident changes of the new suspension are certainly in the front suspension, where we have gone from a configuration with a high rack to a low track road, guided by the needs of aerodynamics,” he explained.
“The front wing is different as well as the structure of the nose.”
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With Ferrari’s performance set to improve drastically this year, both Mercedes and Red Bull will be hoping that they can keep pace with the Scuderia.
Mercedes are tipped to return to winning ways this season so with Red Bull hindered by their cost cap breach penalty, no one can truly predict the winner of the 2023 championship.
Should a three-way title fight break out this year, the 2023 season could be one of the most exciting in the past decade.