The first half of the 2023 Formula 1 season for Scuderia Ferrari has proven to be extremely challenging, at least based on on-track results. Despite the optimistic expectations at the beginning of the season, the Prancing Horse has struggled to extract the full potential from the SF-23, which, despite being an evolution of the F1-75, has been sluggish and occasionally incomprehensible. This has led to Ferrari dropping to fourth place in the constructors’ championship.
In addition to on-track struggles, Ferrari’s present is complicated by ongoing changes in the team’s organization, including the turnover of top figures over the past few months, starting with the departure of team principal Mattia Binotto, David Sanchez, and Laurent Mekies, and the arrival of new professionals. There are also numerous rumors concerning drivers, especially Charles Leclerc, whose contract renewals have not been discussed yet. These factors have created a challenging environment and an unhealthy atmosphere, making it difficult to lay the groundwork for a better future than the current underwhelming performance.
This moment, filled with rumors and changes, seems far from ending and, according to the well-known journalist Umberto Zapelloni in “Top Speed Blog” (citing rumors about Ferrari’s future reported by “Dagospia”), it may be immediately preceding another major upheaval within Scuderia Ferrari, following the one that happened a year ago.
According to Umberto Zapelloni, there’s a suggestion that two important figures could depart from Maranello by the end of the season, leading to a new and potentially unproductive reset: Ferrari’s new team principal, Frederic Vasseur, and CEO Benedetto Vigna.
“There was a whisper going around for a few days. A big thing […] concerning Ferrari and their lack of results. There is talk of two heads ready to roll before the end of the year, those of CEO Benedetto Vigna and Team Principal Fred Vasseur. Rumors come and go. One day they become significant, the next they disappear. A year ago, it happened with Binotto, and we saw how that ended […]. Today, these rumors are even more significant because they would mean decapitating the company and starting from scratch once again, despite excellent industrial results.” – he pointed out.
As mentioned, the Italian journalist cites “Dagospia,” a well-informed source, which stated:
“Ferrari is a brand of enormous value, but the unhappy decline witnessed in F1 for years only damages the prestige and appeal of the brand, with the concrete risk of deteriorating its economic value. To avoid endless shipwrecks at the Prancing Horse, the possibility of resetting the technical staff is being considered.”
If such a turnaround were to occur, it would be driven by President John Elkann, who, just like a year ago, might not have suitable replacements, especially for the team principal role, having received multiple rejections from top managers of other teams. This choice would inevitably highlight John Elkann’s lack of competence in this matter and his ability to rebuild the team.
“Are we really sure – Zapelloni continues – that Vasseur will still be at the helm of the Prancing Horse next year? It is rumored that Elkann is not satisfied. […] He regrets Binotto and probably Arrivabene too. However, the problem is huge: who can be entrusted with the team? The top figures in F1 have already said no several times. […] Starting from scratch would be another mistake, yet another one in Elkann’s management. […] Let’s see how these rumors will evolve.”
