John Elkann “Lacking in Satisfaction” Over Fred Vasseur and Co’s Work Despite Carlos Sainz’s Singapore Victory

“Race cars are neither beautiful nor ugly. They become beautiful when they win.”– Enzo Ferrari. Even in today’s day and age, it might be difficult to find someone as passionate about racing as Enzo Ferrari. But seeing the condition of his F1 team in the last decade, Ferrari must be turning in the grave, wanting to teach the team a thing or two about racing. Nonetheless, John Elkann is there to keep the team in check as he talked about the lack of satisfaction from the 2023 F1 season. 

The most important victory is the one that has to arrive, also said Enzo Ferrari. While Ferrari has come close to the driver’s championship in the last decade, it’s been over a decade and a half since Ferrari last won a championship of any sort. And 2023 was just another disappointing year in F1 for Ferrari, struggling with tire wear, unable to match the Red Bull’s race pace. 

The highlight of the 2023 season was Carlos Sainz’s win at the Singapore GP, but that too was because of Red Bull’s lack of pace and Singapore not suiting their car. Regardless, Sainz drove a brilliant race, with an amazing strategy and Alonso-esque skills to bring home the only Non-Red Bull victory of 2023. But Ferrari President, John Elkann, seemed unimpressed, as winning the championship should be Ferrari’s aim. Just having 1 win doesn’t cut it for him. 

According to Formulapassion.it, John Elkann, at Ferrari’s Shareholder’s meeting said, “2023 was a difficult and often stingy season with satisfaction for Scuderia Ferrari. Although the victory in Singapore sent out an encouraging signal, like the two podiums achieved, we know that we must continue to work tirelessly. The passion of millions of fans around the world is what spurs us to constantly improve.”

With Carlos Sainz sacked in favor of Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari must be kicking themselves for letting go of the only race winner they had in 2023 and so far in 2024 as well. And Peter Windsor highlighted the same. 

Peter Windsor on Ferrari’s move to Sack Carlos Sainz and sign Lewis Hamilton

Ferrari renewed Charles Leclerc’s contract before the 2024 season started and everyone was expecting Carlos Sainz’s contract to be announced soon as well. But then came the bomb of Lewis Hamilton signing with Ferrari for 2025. And after the start of 2024, everyone is wondering if Ferrari retained the wrong driver, or if they should’ve made the move for Hamilton. Peter Windsor talked about how Ferrari is already regretting Carlos Sainz going as he further talked about the transfer saga.

Peter Windsor, speaking during his Live on YouTube said, “Carlos is winning GP’s, scoring podiums, great performance driving at the peak of his abilities and is being sacked. Just doesn’t make sense [Hamilton to Ferrari at Sainz’s cost], doesn’t feel right. There’s something going on there. I don’t know if it’s Frederic Vasseur just trying to put one over Toto Wolff and he just signed Lewis to annoy him or whether it’s a bigger picture and share prices and the effect of Lewis on the Ferrari brand.”

Do you think Ferrari will be able to win the championship this year or the upcoming year? Will they be able to beat the dominant Red Bull for a season?