Ferrari introduces updates: 'We expect to make progress'

Last week it was Charles Leclerc, next weekend it is the turn of Carlos Sainz. In short order, both Ferrari drivers are driving their home race. For Leclerc, the race in his hometown Monaco did not go as hoped, Sainz obviously hopes to delight his own fans with a top result.

Sainz even has his own grandstand in Barcelona, where his most loyal fans take their seats. Team boss Frederic Vasseur realises that the stakes are therefore high for the Spaniard. "Just a few days on from the race in Monaco we are back on track in Barcelona for Carlos’ home race. It means that for the second race in a row, one of our drivers can count on support from his fans, a further incentive for the whole team to do well on one of the best known circuits on the calendar," Vasseur told a press release from his team.

Barcelona the test track for years

For many years, the Barcelona circuit was the place where teams held winter tests. In 2023, there were only test days in Bahrain, but that does not change the fact that the teams know Barcelona well. Although there is one important adjustment: the chicane at the end of a lap has disappeared. As a result, the expected lap time this year is about seven seconds faster than a year ago.

Ferrari is taking updates for the faster circuit. "In Monaco we couldn’t show the real potential of our car, but the race in Barcelona will provide a clearer picture, also because we have brought some further upgrades here,  just as we have done at every race so far this season. We expect to make some progress in terms of performance and we hope to bring home a good result for the team," Vasseur concluded.