Yesterday, for Scuderia Ferrari, as well as for other teams and thousands of other workers, was the return-to-office day after the winter holidays.
This year, there was a novelty in the motorsport world: teams had to completely close shop during the Christmas break. One thing, however, remained the same: numerous reports telling the story of a red team that gained tenths upon tenths compared to the previous season. Nevertheless, Gianluca Gasperini, a journalist for the Italian daily newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, wanted to temper the enthusiasm, stating that there are positive aspects in Project 676, but it’s difficult to expect a championship-winning car.
“Since the end of the last season, the Red Team, for once, hasn’t been too much in the spotlight. It happened to Mercedes, thanks to the initiative – later revealed as a spectacular own goal – by Ben Sulayem, president of the FIA, against Toto Wolff (team principal of the team) and his wife Susie. A thing that lasted 48 hours but caused a disturbance. Instead, the Prancing Horse, regularly under pressure when not winning (which is practically always, given the drought since the 2008 constructors’ title and the 2007 drivers’ title), is experiencing rather calm weeks.” – he pointed out.
“The confidence of the drivers also helps: Charles Leclerc has shown belief in the red team by renewing his agreement for several more years, and his Spanish teammate could also be close to a contract extension. On February 13, along with the presentation of the new car, the official announcement could come. These are positive notes. However, they also carry a flip side of the coin. We can’t wait any longer to return to the spotlight” – Gianluca Gasperini continued his assessment.
“No one expects Ferrari to start as it did in 2022, winning with authority. But Fred Vasseur, who just 12 months ago began his adventure as team principal of the Prancing Horse, has had time to settle in and study at the factory and on the track. Technicians have been given renewed confidence, as have those managing the strategies. At this point, it is necessary to approach Red Bull, putting Mercedes and McLaren behind, which are more dangerous entities at this moment than Aston Martin. The 7 tenths gained on average per lap in the simulator – as is hypothesized – are nothing sensational and should not deceive. From what is heard around, others have improved by at least half a second compared to last season’s car. And they are not satisfied,” the Italian journalist concluded.
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