Ferrari, where to rebuild?
Undoubtedly, the 2023 Formula One championship has not started off on the right foot for Scuderia Ferrari, which, after five races, can only boast one podium finish, scored by Charles Leclerc at the Baku City Circuit. The team based in Maranello hopes to reverse the unfortunate trend with the new aerodynamic package, which has been delayed from Imola to Barcelona, in order to have a solid foundation to challenge the extraordinary Red Bull RB19 cars seen on the track so far.
It is no secret that the new team principal, Frederic Vasseur, is working on building a technical structure that matches the Maranello team’s impressive history and the strength of its rivals. However, something seems to be moving on the driver front as well, with the much-talked-about rumored offer to seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton. Where to start rebuilding, with a new driver or investments in technicians? Riccardo Patrese has little doubt.
Riccardo Patrese’s thoughts
The former Italian driver gave an interview to Quotidiano Nazionale, explaining: “Lewis Hamilton? I wouldn’t take him at Ferrari. Not because of him, he is still a champion. But the red team doesn’t need a top driver, but rather a top car. I, like all the fans, am very disappointed with Ferrari’s performance. They have gone backward compared to 2022. Lewis is great, he is a winner. But let me tell you something that not everyone has understood yet. Since testing was abolished, a driver no longer has an impact on the development of the car, they no longer have the power to change the engineers’ minds, as happened with Prost, Schumi, Senna, and even with me. If Maranello has all that money to spend, they should spend it on Adrian Newey because the car matters more than the driver.” – explained the Italian former racing driver, who raced in Formula One from 1977 to 1993.
Riccardo Patrese then commented on the progress of the 2023 Formula One championship, giving a glimmer of hope for the Scuderia in Monaco: “We are experiencing a championship in which there is one car, Red Bull, clearly superior to the rest of the competition. And Max Verstappen, who is probably the best driver at the moment. Ferrari? There would be a small window of opportunity if Charles Leclerc puts the car ahead of everyone else in qualifying on Saturday. He can do it; he is a phenomenon on a single lap, and he is from Monte Carlo, knowing every centimeter of the asphalt. If he starts in front, on Sunday he can keep them all behind. There is no overtaking in Monaco,” concluded the former driver, who raced for Brabham, Williams, and Benetton, among others.
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!
