As Charles Leclerc’s Misery Piles On, Ferrari’s Last Resort Gamble Leaves Frederic Vasseur Exposed

This season was meant to be Ferrari‘s triumphant march towards championship redemption. Following a strong P2 finish the previous year, expectations were sky-high. However, what has transpired has been a stark contrast to those aspirations. Instead of dominating the podium, Ferrari finds itself caught in a maelstrom of challenges. The first half of Ferrari’s 23 campaign has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. Armed with the SF-23, the team embarked on a journey that promised glory but delivered a series of blows. A string of disappointments have overshadowed Charles Leclerc‘s moments of brilliance on the podium, notably his P2 finish in Austria.

The Dutch GP, in particular, stands out as a poignant example of this misery. Leclerc’s early retirement due to damage further spotlighted the fragility of their ambitions. Charles Leclerc’s dismal performance on the circuit cast a glaring spotlight on Ferrari’s predicament. The Monégasque racer, entangled in contact on the opening lap, saw his hopes crumble as his Ferrari suffered extensive damage, robbing him of over 60 points of downforce. A pit stop blunder that unfolded as he pitted to switch from slick tires to intermediates compounded the agony of Leclerc’s struggles. Mechanical unpreparedness cost valuable seconds and underscored the fragile nature of Ferrari’s campaign. But at the heart of Ferrari’s woes lies a strategic gamble that may define their trajectory in the years to come.

The decisions made have set the stage for a trajectory that goes beyond this season’s performance, as per sources, “The development of the SF-23 was stopped before the summer break: the innovations that we will see appearing on the red until Austin will mostly be experiments aimed at the 2024 car which will represent a clean break with this project.” This strategic pivot raises eyebrows as it marks a turning point for Ferrari, as they allocate resources towards crafting a car that represents a departure from their current project.

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The team’s focus on laying the foundation for the future is palpable, but it leaves the current campaign punctuated by ups and downs, leaving fans and enthusiasts craving for consistency. This calculated bet, however, comes with its fair share of uncertainties, and it’s this gamble that leaves Frederic Vasseur exposed to scrutiny. However, Leclerc’s optimism intertwines with Ferrari’s strategic gamble, shedding light on the team’s vision for the future.

Charles Leclerc anticipates a “Brand New” Ferrari

In the midst of these difficulties, Ferrari’s head of aero, Enrico Cardile, revealed Ferrari’s intention to introduce an entirely new car concept for the 2024 season, a departure from the incremental evolutions seen in the past. He said, “From there next year’s car will not be an evolution of this year’s car like this year’s car has been compared to last year’s car, but it will be a brand new car – different chassis with different design, different rear end to allow our aero [department] to better develop the car to achieve their targets.”

Leclerc’s response to Cardile’s revelation reflects a mix of anticipation and commitment to the ongoing 2023 season. While he acknowledges the allure of the upcoming “brand new” car, he remains steadfast in his focus on the current campaign. He candidly acknowledges, “Yeah. It’s great to hear that,” Leclerc said. “I can’t wait. First I’ve got a season to finish in ’23, but we can only go in another direction because honestly the car at the moment it is very, very difficult to be on the limit.”

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What are your thoughts on this shift towards the 2024 car?