Ferrari trials aero changes during filming day at Fiorano

Ferrari reportedly used a filming day in Fiorino to trial new elements that will be introduced at next weekend's Austrian Grand Prix.

According to Italian website Formu1a.uno, both Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz had an opportunity to test the Scuderia's updated SF-23.

The car – which was heavily upgraded in Barcelona recently – apparently featured a new front wing and a revised floor that included modified fences and changes to the sidepod inlets, with a design inspired by Red Bull's all-conquering RB19 which remains undefeated this season.

Every F1 team is granted two "filming days" throughout the season, and Ferrari chose to utilize its second and final day to test the new elements.

Filming day mileage is limited to 100 km by the FIA – which equates to approximately 33 laps of the Scuderia's Fiorano track – while teams must also use control tyres supplied by Pirelli for the test.

Ferrari is working hard to boost the performance of its 2023 contender, with the team's engineers focused on instilling consistency into its SF-23 while reducing its propensity to consume its tyres in race trim.

• Read also: Sainz will seek clarity on Ferrari future ahead of 2024 season

According to Sainz, Ferrari has carried over to this season an issue that emerged in the latter part of its 2022 campaign.

"We're all frustrated by it and motivated to change, but it's something we started seeing towards the end of last year," the Spaniard said in Montreal last time out.

"We were sticking it on pole in Austin, very close to pole in many circuits, even Abu Dhabi at the end of the year, but then we saw the race and that we were clearly behind Red Bull.

"This is a carryover but maybe an exaggeration this year with the car that we have, because last year, we could still have pole positions and be a couple of tenths behind, but this year, it is a bit much."

Overall, Sainz believes Ferrari has made "important steps" in understanding its car in the wake of the revised package it introduced in Spain.

"We are opening new windows of development, and if this window doesn't work, we will open another one and another one. We will keep trying," he added.

"I'm going to Maranello more often than ever, spending more time there in-between races and I'm trying to make sure we keep the team pushing in the same direction and motivated.

"I see good things coming, but obviously the results at the race-track are not coming."

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