Scuderia Ferrari Concludes 2023 Season with Productive Abu Dhabi Test
Scuderia Ferrari concluded their 2023 season with an intensive day of testing at the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi. The test day saw both race drivers and young talent Robert Shwartzman take turns behind the wheel of the SF-23s, demonstrating the team's commitment to development and growth. The team successfully completed a total of 258 laps, with Shwartzman covering 123 laps, Carlos Sainz 69 in the morning, and Charles Leclerc 66 in the afternoon.
Sainz kicked off the day, evaluating three different tyre compounds. The Spaniard's impressive performance yielded the fastest lap time of 1’24”769 on the C5, the softest compound, maintaining the quickest time until the lunch break. Leclerc took over in the afternoon, experimenting with the C5, C1, and C4 tyres, and clocking his best time at 1’25”371.
Shwartzman, participating in the Young Driver Test, was on his third outing in the SF-23 this year. He focused on the C4, C3, and C5 compounds, achieving a personal best of 1’25”050. Despite having to abort his potential quickest lap due to a red flag, he showed promise and resilience throughout the day.
Scuderia Ferrari’s testing efforts in Abu Dhabi were not just about clocking fast laps but also about gathering valuable data and insights. Shwartzman's extensive run allowed the team to assess tyre degradation and overall performance. His day concluded with race simulations and performance runs, although some were interrupted by external factors like red flags and traffic.
Reflecting on the test, Shwartzman expressed satisfaction with the day's progress and the valuable experience gained. The young driver plans to continue contributing to the team's development with simulator work in Maranello before taking a well-deserved break.
As Scuderia Ferrari wraps up their 2023 season, the team looks forward to a fresh start next year, armed with insights and data from their productive test day in Abu Dhabi. With a blend of experienced and emerging talents, Scuderia Ferrari remains a formidable force in Formula 1.
