Friday Practice Report: 2023 Austrian Grand Prix
Red Bull Ring, Spielberg — Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc concluded a challenging Friday at the Austrian Grand Prix, with their new Ferrari floor design yielding modest results during the practice sessions.
Ferrari introduced a comprehensive floor overhaul aimed at enhancing aerodynamic performance across various cornering speeds, incorporating modifications to the body, edges, and the diffuser. However, both drivers expressed skepticism about its immediate impact on their competitiveness. Leclerc, after a promising long-run performance, recorded a time that left him six-tenths behind FP2 leader Lando Norris, while Hamilton trailed by nearly a second.
Leclerc, who sat out FP1 to allow rookie Dino Beganovic to gain experience, struggled with car feel, despite achieving expected aerodynamic metrics. “It doesn’t feel like the performance is quite there yet, but hopefully we’ll make a step forward,” he stated. He acknowledged that without FP1 experience, the nuances of the car’s improvements were difficult to gauge.
Hamilton faced gearbox issues, limiting his long-run data collection. He commended his team for swiftly addressing the technical problems before FP2, yet noted that the competitive gap persisted. “We had a problem in the morning… but I think we recovered okay with it. However, we were still a huge chunk off pace-wise,” Hamilton added.
Both drivers pointed to the closeness of the midfield, indicating that even small discrepancies could significantly affect qualifying performance. As Leclerc put it, “In qualifying, there’s a lot of work to be done.”
Looking ahead, Ferrari will need to refine its setup and performance to become a viable contender for points in the race, especially as the competition tightens at the front.
