New year, new partnerships, resolutions, targets, and more problems. For Ferrari, one of the problems will be deciding who will be their no.1 driver. For most, the obvious choice is Charles Leclerc over Carlos Sainz. However, a former Ferrari sporting director believes the prancing horse should bide their time before deciding.

Leclerc and Sainz both have their strengths. The Monegasque is excellent in qualifying but the Spaniard is a better race performer. However, in a head-to-head comparison, the scales tip towards Leclerc. Exactly why in an interview with Corriere dello Sport as quoted by Formula Passion, the former Ferrari team boss suggested a solution.

Cesare Fiorio, the former boss, suggested the team should wait till the halfway point to decide on the team hierarchy. He said, “There is no need to establish hierarchies at the start, or at least I hope there aren’t; then halfway through the championship, with the positions stabilized, it’s time to put the second in support of whoever is ahead in the standings.” (Translated Via Google)

He elaborated on how the drivers need to untie and work together for the team. “If Sainz were ahead with the possibility of becoming world champion, Leclerc should make himself available. They are professionals and know what the team needs,” he concluded.

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Ferrari will be preparing to have this conversation, especially after the confidence they have in their 2023 challenger. A challenger that people in Maranello are giddy about.

However, it won’t be straightforward as even Leclerc has admitted it will be a three-team battle for the 2023 crown.

Charles Leclerc admits Mercedes will be back on top and in the running in 2023

The 2022 season was a two-horse race with Mercedes falling off the wagon from the start of the season. However, Mercedes’ consistent upgrades brought them back level toward the end of the season. This has led Leclerc to believe in addition to Red Bull, Ferrari will be fighting Mercedes as well.

“I do believe that Mercedes will be in the fight [in 2023]. — Mercedes will definitely be there next year with a very strong car. We’ve seen how much they’ve improved from the first race to the last race,” said Leclerc during the FIA Gala night.

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Three-team race and a tussle within the team will be an interesting start to 2023 for the Ferrari men. Who do you think will come out on top?