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Formula One F1 – Austrian Grand Prix – Red Bull Ring, Spielberg, Austria – July 9, 2022 Red Bull’s Max Verstappen celebrates after winning the sprint race as Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc celebrates after placing second and Carlos Sainz Jr. celebrates after placing third Pool via REUTERS/Christian Bruna
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via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Austrian Grand Prix – Red Bull Ring, Spielberg, Austria – July 9, 2022 Red Bull’s Max Verstappen celebrates after winning the sprint race as Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc celebrates after placing second and Carlos Sainz Jr. celebrates after placing third Pool via REUTERS/Christian Bruna
Ferrari is waiting to be great again. After the 2022 title slipping out of their hands like sand, the management decided to go for an overhaul. It started with replacing Mattia Binotto with Alfa Romeo’s team principal Frederic Vasseur. While this brings in new hope for the Prancing Horse, it also comes with speculations that Charles Leclerc’s ex boss might tilt in his favor. However, Frederic denies the conjectures surrounding the ‘number 1’ of the team.
Charles Leclerc came to the scene and became a favorite, exhibiting a lot of potential. Soon he was offered the longest contract in the history of Scuderia Ferrari Team. The team then rallied its youngest line up ever recruiting Carlos Sainz. While Sainz has a lot of potential, it is speculated that Charles, who was closer to Max Verstappen in the 2022 championship fight, may continue to stay the favorite because his old boss is now his new boss at Ferrari. Joining the dots may seem to point in the obvious direction. However, Vasseur has rejected these speculations.
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via Reuters
Formula One F1 – United States Grand Prix – Circuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas, U.S. – October 23, 2022 Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz Jr. and Charles Leclerc wave to spectators during the drivers’ parade ahead of the race REUTERS/Mike Segar
In an interview with Motorsport Italy, Vasseur said, “Some people know this story, but not everyone. When I was at Renault, I was the first to put Carlos in contact with the team, and also when I moved to Sauber, I tried to have him with us. I think this is enough to confirm the confidence I have in his qualities, I am convinced that he is a very strong rider.” [Translated using Google]
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Reliability is not an issue anymore for Ferrari
Despite building a very fast car for the 2022 season, the Italian team lost out on both the championships due to reliability and strategic failures. Appointment of Frederic Vasseur safeguards what happens on the strategic front and overall vision of the team. Vasseur has also hinted that their 2023 car wouldn’t face reliability issues either.
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Formula One F1 – Bahrain Grand Prix – Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain – March 20, 2022 Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz Jr. in action during the race REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani
In an interview with Sky Italy, he said, “Reliability is key – it’s key for the test because you have to do a lot of mileage in three days. We have only one test this year. It means that you have to arrive in Bahrain with reliability, or it could be much more difficult. Then we’ll see during the season about reliability, but it looks to be so far under control.”
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Standing at the dawn of the 2023 season and with both the major shortcoming solved on paper, can Ferrari do it this time around?
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