The first race of the 2023 Formula One season represented a clear wake-up call Scuderia Ferrari and all its. Following the big step forward shown last year, the Maranello team was expected to be able to fix the problems that in 2022 prevented it from fighting all the way for the championship against Red Bull and come back stronger in 2023.
The winter pre-season testing session and then the first round of the new championship highlighted what seem to be all the limits of the new SF-23 challenger. The latest car that came out of Maranello seems to suffer, and not just in terms of race pace, due to a rather high tire degradation.
All this meant that immediately after the first Grand Prix of the year, the Italian team immediately returned to the center of criticism from insiders, media and the fans. From rumors of a disillusioned Charles Leclerc to the possible departure of several other team members, Frederic Vasseur’s first few weeks in red have certainly not been the most peaceful possible.
One of the hottest topics that the new Team Principal has encountered and will have to face is that relating to his drivers. Charles Leclerc’s contract is in fact expiring and the rumors about what the Monegasque’s future will be in Ferrari are becoming more and more insistent.
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Furthermore, the news of a recent meeting between president John Elkann and Charles Leclerc himself has only fueled rumors that certainly do not give the Ferrari environment serenity for the present and the future. In this regard, during a long interview with French motorsport magazine Autohebdo, Frederic Vasseur himself wanted to shed light on the matter.
“After the winter pre-season testing session we spoke with the drivers, with Benedetto Vigna and with John Elkann and we will certainly talk to them again after the Imola weekend. These meetings are planned.” – explained the former Alfa Romeo Sauber boss.
So nothing to worry about? That’s not a sure thing. What is certain is that Charles Leclerc has always shown that he is grateful to Ferrari and for this reason his future could continue to be linked with the Maranello team, in the hope that Ferrari will also be able to live up to the high expectations of Charles Leclerc and all the Tifosi.
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