For Scuderia Ferrari, the weekend in Hungary at the Hungaroring racing track turned out to be yet another one below expectations. The Red Team left Budapest with the disappointing results of a seventh and eighth-place finish. The outcome was a result of both individual and team errors, but above all, the lack of competitiveness of a car that was believed to suit the characteristics of the Hungarian track. Frustration in Maranello is now at its peak, especially considering the fast pace of the competition, with Lewis Hamilton, Lando Norris, and Max Verstappen finishing 30, 40, and 70 seconds respectively ahead of Charles Leclerc’s first SF-23 at the finish line.
Probably, a reset is needed to start thinking about a different near future. Italian journalist and F1 pit reporter Mara Sangiorgio discussed this and more in her usual analysis for SkySportF1.
Mara Sangiorgio’s analysis on the situation at Ferrari
“Frustrated, yes, demoralized, no. Charles Leclerc wants to emphasize this at the end of a weekend that was supposed to be a comeback but turned out to be another lackluster result for Ferrari. Words from a captain who must keep his morale high as well as that of the whole team,” writes Sangiorgio, analyzing the performance of the Maranello team in Budapest.
“The Hungaroring was supposed to be a friendly track; everyone said so before the Grand Prix, from the drivers to the team principal who even hoped to fight for important positions on Saturday,” the journalist underlines. She then adds: “Instead, they are once again forced to lick their wounds, which are starting to become significant, looking at the growing gaps and opponents, especially. At the finish line, Charles Leclerc, seventh, was 70 seconds behind Max Verstappen, who was almost already removing his helmet and celebrating. Carlos Sainz finished just behind his teammate. Apart from the problem during Charles Leclerc’s first pit stop and his five-second penalty for speeding in the pit lane, the race for the two Ferrari drivers was quite straightforward. The pace was decent, but not enough to compete even with Mercedes and McLaren.” – she pointed out.
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The track has decreed that the Red Team is currently the fourth force. “The updates brought in Spain and then completed in Austria have provided more balance to this car but have not given it the necessary performance, as shown by the results in qualifying,” writes Mara Sangiorgio.
Finally, the journalist concludes her analysis indirectly criticizing Frederic Vasseur and urging immediate action: “In Budapest, he also pointed fingers at the mistakes made, but the truth is that while other teams are improving with planning, reinforcements, and competence, Ferrari is not improving enough. Thinking more about the future than the present, it would be wise to draw a line and start over with a blank page. And do it right away.” – the Italian journalist and F1 pit reporter concluded.
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