Sainz wants 'easier' Ferrari after 2023 'headaches'

Carlos Sainz said he wants the 2024 Ferrari Formula 1 car to be"easier" to setup after issues with its predecessor. The SF-23proved to be a difficult car to get into the right setup window forboth Sainz and Charles Leclerc, with their qualifying pace oftennot translating in the race. As a result they would suffer fromhigh tyre degradation, leading to one of the worst starts to aseason since 2009 having only scored 26 points after three races.By contrast the 2009 season saw them score just 12 points in thesame period. Their problems with tyre degradation hit its peakduring the Miami Grand Prix, when they Sainz finished seventh placeafter starting inside the top three and Leclerc only fifth afterstarting from seventh. “There has been talk that [the 2023 car] isa car that suits me, that I like,” he told As “Honestly, it hasgiven me headaches not only myself but also to my team mate and toFerrari. The Spaniard felt that the difficulty driving the SF-23made it tough to exploit his true potential, despite being the onlydriver to unseat Red Bull's run of victories at the Singapore GrandPrix. “It’s very difficult to understand. I’ve not enjoyed drivingit – I’ve had to adapt in many aspects and try out various setupconfigurations," Sainz added. "I hope that in 2024, it becomes moreversatile and easier to handle and set up. Let’s hope for a betterracing car.” Team Principal Frederic Vassuer has made it clear thatthe 2024 Ferrari challenger will be 95% different, after the teamidentified their problems through learning from the SF-23.RacingNews365 technical analyst Paolo Filisetti has detailed thespecific changes will be made off the back of last year'slearnings.