Ferrari: external factors that "hinder" SF-23 performance

Ferrari has a massive fan base, probably the largest in the world of Formula 1. One just needs to look at the grandstands at any circuit in any country to understand that the statement opening this article holds true. Having clarified this point, we must also remember that fans, especially those who pay to attend races or watch on TV, have the right to express themselves freely. They can cheer and boo, just like at the theater, always striving to maintain a certain decorum, of course.

This right can also be claimed by the media when it comes to “judging” a racing team’s performance. After all, writing and offering opinions about the events that unfold over a race weekend is more than normal. The same applies to commenting on the statements of the drivers. However, what sometimes seems out of place is when a driver expresses concern about what the press writes about him.

While it’s normal to defend oneself when one doesn’t like what’s being said, it’s equally true that a public figure should be accustomed to this kind of thing and perhaps not pay too much attention to it. Moreover, because responding to more or less credible observations might indicate how much the person concerned is affected by these particular circumstances.

If reading an article doesn’t affect you deeply, you can simply smile, and your mind is already thinking about something else two seconds later. Furthermore, the media shouldn’t assist a Formula 1 team in any way. The team doesn’t need the media’s support. When asked a question by a journalist regarding a hypothetical topic that is far from the truth, it would be better to brush it off, showing zero interest in a gossipy issue that aims only to create controversy.

Ferrari: the unnecessary “media doesn’t help” Carlos Sainz talks about

The introductory discussion is nothing more than a consideration, whether right or wrong, regarding the words of Carlos Sainz. The Spanish driver wanted to clarify a topic. He claims that there is no internal struggle between him and Charles. If this idea is freely circulating, the sole and only party responsible for it is the media, according to the Madrilenian. In fact, he highlights that there are no clauses regarding the role of the lead driver in the contracts of both Ferrari drivers.

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!

To start with some speculations, in the realm of hypotheses, it remains challenging to believe that the Ferrari drivers have read each other’s contracts. Therefore, knowing what’s written in your teammate’s agreement becomes somewhat difficult. On the other hand, no matter how good their relationship is, certain matters will always remain private. It couldn’t be otherwise, especially at these levels.

Secondly, it’s true that Ferrari comes first, but only to some extent. This is because during a race weekend, especially in a challenging championship like the current one, it doesn’t often happen that one of the drivers has to sacrifice their race for the other. It can happen, and it has happened, but it remains a secondary consideration. Asking one of the Ferrari drivers to compromise their race to favor the other in achieving fifth place, for instance, doesn’t make much sense, especially when both of them can achieve the same result.

Furthermore, it’s not us saying this, but practically all the great champions in this sport. One of the first objectives for a driver is to beat the one on the other side of the garage. Beating your teammate implies that you have less fault if the results are poor or that you’re more talented if the results are satisfactory. Additionally, internal supremacy is essential.

Constantly being outperformed by the one driving the same car is particularly frustrating. It makes you lose composure. Nerves often flare up, and probably, on certain occasions, reasoning behind the wheel diminishes. When, on the contrary, your “teammate” is continually trailing you, certainty takes hold of your psyche, and confidence in your abilities will undoubtedly be higher.

In theory, we know it shouldn’t be this way. It would be more pleasant to believe that everyone gives their best regardless of the results of others. Or even better, that there’s complete unity of thought. But unfortunately, life hardly ever works this way. In a context where competitiveness reigns supreme, such as in Formula 1, individuality is hardly absent.