The new Ferrari SF-23 challenger has finally been presented by the Maranello team: in addition to the event broadcasted on the Ferrari social media channels, an occasion in which the whole world saw the SF-23 in action for the first time (click here for a technical analysis of the new Ferrari challenger), new team principal Frederic Vasseur took part in a short press conference to answer some questions from the media.
The Frenchman didn’t say too much in most cases, especially when the questions were directed to “political” topics, an aspect in which Ferrari must try to mend relations with the FIA if it wants to increase its political weight compared to recent years.
Fred Vasseur is more cautious than CEO Vigna: “The car has only done one lap, let’s not overreact”
The 54-year-old Frenchman immediately wanted point out that we should remain cautiously optimistic about the prospects for the 2023 Formula 1 season and not create very high much expectations at this stage of the season, especially after Benedetto Vigna, Ferrari CEO, said that the SF-23 will be a “single-seater unprecedented in terms of speed”
“I would be too optimistic if I said that we will win in Bahrain after seeing the car for just one lap on track, but the mood is great because so much work has been done at home.” Fred Vasseur explained – “I would like to thank all the guys in the factory who have worked well and now we are ready for the new season. It is an important step forward but it is only the beginning of the story.” – he added.
The program included a 100 km shakedown which was held at the Fiorano circuit, as the team will now travel to Bahrain for the official winter pre-season testing session (February 23-25) and then the first round of the new Formula 1 season, which also takes place at the Sakhir circuit (March 3-5).
Show your support for Scuderia Ferrari with official merchandise collection! Click here to enter the F1 online Store and shop securely! And also get your F1 tickets for every race with VIP hospitality and unparalleled insider access. Click here for the best offers to support Charles and Carlos from the track!
The second part of the 2022 championship underlined the weaknesses of the F1-75 car, including the now well-known lack of reliability, but also the tire management that did not allow Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc to compete with Red Bull, and sometimes even Mercedes, on Sundays. When asked if Ferrari had worked to solve all the car’s problems or if the team had concentrated on just a few macro areas, Frederic Vasseur was very clear, stating that “always trying to improve in every area is the DNA of the our sport. It’s not just about Ferrari, or just one department in particular: we must always try to do a better job tomorrow even more than today. You talked about strategy and tire management, but this is a discussion that involves every area.” – he pointed out.
Frederic Vasseur emphasized the motivation and commitment required regardless of the initial results, whether they are positive or negative: “It doesn’t matter if we win or lose in Bahrain, it will not be the end of our world championship. We have to keep this level of concentration and this mentality because the world championship will last 23 races.”
In particular, there were questions about the strategy department, much discussed among fans, members of the press, and even rivals. The answer has remained basically the same as a few weeks ago, but a confirmation has arrived: “We will make some small changes and adjustments but as I said last time, you are only seeing the tip of the iceberg. When you talk about strategy, you’re only talking about strategists, but strategy isn’t just a person pushing a button: it’s about software, people in the factory, and the whole process that happens at the pit wall. We look at the whole picture, not just one person.” – the French manager explained.
Leave a Reply