F1 2023: pitfalls of Charles Leclerc at center of Ferrari project

In the hyper-technological context of F1, miracles are a rare commodity. In 2022 it was legitimate to hope for a Ferrari capable of exploiting the regulation changes, given that the project was the task of a strong team with the same key figures that have been working together for the last few years.

The return to victory (already from the first race of 2022) and a first part of the season up to expectations, however, were not enough to renew the trust of the Maranello top management in the work of Mattia Binotto.

In some ways, the choice to entrust the helm of the historic Italian team to Frederic Vasseur may appear to be a real leap in the dark. The change of senior figures within large companies inevitably has repercussions at every hierarchical level of the organizational structure. Nonetheless, the history of the top category of motorsport is full of unpopular choices that have proved their worth in the medium term.

The appointment of the French engineer at the helm of Ferrari Racing Department is considered by many to be a necessary step, useful for founding the Ferrari “renaissance” around the figure of Charles Leclerc. It is undeniable that the Vasseur/Leclerc combination has been a harbinger of mutual satisfaction from a professional and human point of view. But how much can the team principal’s unconditional trust in “his driver” affect the outcome of a season?

In any sporting discipline at a professional level, the athlete’s psychological state plays a fundamental role. In Formula One, the fortunes of many drivers have been supported not only by a competitive car but also by the total confidence of the team, especially in moments of greatest pressure. One of the most emblematic cases in this sense was the dismissal of Jarno Trulli from Renault in the 2004 season.

Up until the French Grand Prix, the Italian was having an extraordinary season, marked by a great victory in Monte Carlo secured after also taking pole position on Saturday. The young and talented teammate was Fernando Alonso who lived the first half of the championship in the shadow of his Italian companion.

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Despite the results on the track, current team principal Flavio Briatore knew that his goose that laid the golden eggs was the fast and impetuous young Asturian. Precisely in France, Trulli naively lost the third step of the podium a few corners from the finish thanks to a skilful maneuver by Rubens Barrichello. That was enough to create the conditions that led to Jarno’s exit: he was sacked three races before the end of the season and replaced by 1997 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve, despite leading his teammate in the standings at that moment.

For the record, Jarno Trulli scored two poles and a victory against Fernando Alonso’s single start from the pole in the French GP, which went down in history for the great Ferrari strategy with 4 pit stops which gave the victory to Michael Schumacher. However unpopular, Flavio Briatore’s choice was abundantly rewarded by Fernando Alonso’s world titles in the two-year period 2005/2006. Why dig up this story after 18 years?

Simply because, apparently, similarly to what Flavio did in his time, the Prancing Horse has decided to take the most difficult road to place its jewel in the center of the stage.

If the road is going downhill for Charles, at least for the much desired transparent relationship with his team principal, the choice of Frederic Vasseur actually delivers the keys to Ferrari’s sporting destiny into the hands of the Monegasque. For this reason, next season will be the most difficult for the Ferrari driver, regardless of the value of the single-seater.

Charles will have to prove that he is the best driver of the Maranello team in any condition, just as Michael Schumacher was able to do when the Ferrari car was not yet up to the class of the German driver. On some occasions, the talent from the Principality of Monaco accepted questionable strategies despite not agreeing with the pit wall, unlike Carlos Sainz who was able to challenge the team by “disobeying” the pit wall. This is an example of what could make a difference in certain circumstances.

The feat is far from easy as it goes beyond Charles Leclerc’s excellent driving skills. In addition to a competitive car, which is essential to aim for the world title, the last character step of Charles Leclerc will be necessary to establish himself completely and drag Ferrari towards the longed-for yearning that has been awaited for over twenty years…