In the midst of the confusion surrounding Formula 1 testing, where laptimes, run plans, and conditions make it difficult to assess the competitive landscape, there is one undeniable truth – the behavior of the cars on the track tells a story. While not a precise science, there is still much to be gleaned from observing their performance.
Gary Anderson, our experienced ex-F1 technical director, has spent decades closely watching cars from the sidelines, including those he himself designed. He recognizes the value of understanding how these cars behave on the track. Throughout the test, Anderson focused on the deceptively long left-hander at Turn 11, a corner usually taken in fifth gear on a fast lap. This allowed him to gain insight into the true performance of the cars.
Now, let’s delve into what Anderson observed, going through the teams in the order of the 2023 championship:
Red Bull demonstrates impressive corner speed, even during race runs. There were moments when Perez approached the turn conservatively and experienced understeer, but overall, the car seems to be performing better than it did on Wednesday morning when it had front-end limitations. Betting against this car would not be wise.
The Mercedes doesn’t appear to be in bad shape, but it does exhibit some instability. During a Thursday morning stint, it displayed sharp turn-in characteristics typically associated with low-fuel runs. However, the pace indicated that it was carrying a much higher fuel load. It’s possible that the rear instability from last year hasn’t been completely resolved, which could limit the driver’s performance and lead to understeer in the corner. While the Mercedes is among the group chasing Red Bull, it may not be at the forefront.
When the Ferrari isn’t encountering obstacles like drain covers, it performs consistently and looks like a solid car. However, it doesn’t captivate from a technical standpoint, and the same can be said for its on-track appearance. Carlos Sainz, the driver, expressed satisfaction with the car’s progress but doubts that Ferrari has the same speed as Red Bull. The main focus for Ferrari this year is consistency, with a strong front end and stable rear. While they seem to have achieved that, the car lacks the exceptional grip of Red Bull.
The McLaren exhibits sharp turn-in characteristics and manages to avoid excessive understeer mid-corner, resulting in a consistent performance. This allows the drivers to apply throttle confidently at the exit. It clearly belongs to the group of cars chasing Red Bull and shows promise.
Whether driven by Fernando Alonso or Lance Stroll, the Aston Martin appears to be a reliable and sensible car. It allows the drivers to maintain speed, offers good traction, and enables positive power delivery early in the exit phase. Any understeer the car experiences is easily manageable. While it’s challenging to determine its true speed, it seems to be performing well, similar to last year’s car at this point in the season.
The Alpine, on the other hand, lacks consistency. Every time it approaches Turn 11, it appears to be a new experience for the driver. Both drivers have to work harder than desired, and the car doesn’t seem as planted as it should be, considering it’s a works team. While it’s not doing anything fundamentally wrong, it lacks the downforce necessary to compete at the top of the field.
The Williams doesn’t inspire confidence in terms of its connection with the track. Watching Logan Sargeant navigate the long left-hander during a race run, it’s evident that he approaches it in stages. However, the car eventually rotates adequately, allowing him to regain control and apply power. It appears to be consistent based on its performance with a reasonable fuel load.
Initially, the RB seemed unstable on Wednesday morning, with the rear end moving when the driver attempted to apply throttle mid-corner, making precision difficult. However, by Thursday, it had significantly improved. It turns well, maintains reasonable grip through the corner, and carries speed effectively. There is some understeer, requiring the driver to delay throttle application at the exit, but overall, it appears to be a mid-pack contender.
The Sauber exhibits liveliness during turn-in, and when the driver’s intentions align with the car’s behavior, it carries speed well. However, there are instances when things go awry. Bottas experienced a couple of minor lock-ups, causing him to run wide on Thursday afternoon. Nevertheless, it provides a decent foundation for Sauber to build upon.
The Haas generally does what the driver wants, displaying responsiveness and consistency. The team primarily focuses on race runs, carrying a heavy fuel load most of the time. It lacks significant grip but shows improvement in terms of aerodynamic consistency, which bodes well for tire usage. Overall, it’s a solid car that needs to be faster.
According to the Source the-race.com