Photos: Ferrari

June 23rd, 2020 was the day Sebastian Vettel & Charles Leclerc finally got back in the seat of a Formula 1 car since Barcelona testing 3 months ago.  

They drove the 2018 Ferrari SF71H for this track day, as they are not allowed to run the 2020 car due to the possibility of adjusting & updating its components unfairly compared to their competitors. They had an unlimited mileage opportunity at Mugello circuit, so both Vettel & Leclerc drove a distance equivalent to an F1 race distance to be fully prepared for the new season. 

Sebastian took the wheel in the morning, describing the climate in the Ferrari garage as “relaxed & playful” according to Motorsport Italia. Charles & Seb swapped seats later in the afternoon. According to Motorsport Italia, "Both Seb and Charles have shown that they have maintained a good psycho-physical shape despite not driving since winter testing. In particular Seb liked that he was the first to drive the car." Covid-19 precautions also took place as the team trained working with masks & respecting social distancing unless necessary. 

According to Italian journalist Leo Turrini; "They told me that the atmosphere in the Ferrari garage in Mugello was good. Vettel & Leclerc have confirmed to Binotto the desire to work together, for the races that will be possible to play in 2020. We will see." 

Regarding the upgrades, Turrini added: "In Maranello they believe they have corrected some of the defects that the car had revealed during the Barcelona tests. How much the interventions allow to reduce the gap towards Mercedes and Red Bull, we will find out in just over a week in Austria.” Recently, according to AMuS (Auto Motor und Sport), the reports that emerged from Italy about Ferrari coming to Spielberg with a big update are false. The reports falsely said the updates include a slimmer front wing, new gearbox; a new rear axle and 30 HP more from the engine. A Ferrari spokesman talking to AMuS: "We only have very small changes to the car. It was more important for us to understand the SF1000 better. We have indeed made a good step forward." The first significant Ferrari update will probably only arrive after the Hungarian GP. 

The car will feature the hashtag #WeRaceAsOne, a Formula 1 initiative aimed at building a positive change in sport and society in light of the current pandemic, while also condemning racism and inequality.

Now let’s shout from our rooms: IT’S RACE WEEK! F1 is finally back!