Ferrari’s team principal, Frederic Vasseur, recently stole the spotlight during the team’s traditional Christmas lunch with F1 journalists. In a candid moment that showcased Vasseur’s no-nonsense attitude, he delivered a blunt response to a provocative question about Ferrari‘s third-place finish in the Constructors’ standings for the 2023 Formula 1 season.

The 2022 F1 season for Ferrari was a rollercoaster of emotions, a blend of promising starts and unexpected setbacks. The season kicked off on a high note with a one-two finish in the first race, igniting hopes of a triumphant return to championship glory. However, despite the team’s commendable efforts, Ferrari had to settle for second place in both the Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships.

Despite securing an impressive 12 pole positions, Ferrari managed only four victories, none of which occurred in the second half of the season dominated by Red Bull. The divergence in development strategies between Red Bull and Ferrari, with Red Bull focusing on weight loss and aerodynamic gains, played a crucial role in the team’s ultimate standings. Mid-season setbacks, including engine failures and strategic missteps, added to the challenges.

Frederic Vasseur is not happy with Ferrari slipping down to third place in 2023

At the end of the 2022 season, Mattia Binotto stepped down as Ferrari’s team principal, paving the way for Frederic Vasseur to take charge. Vasseur, a seasoned figure in motorsport with a history of working alongside Ferrari’s star driver, Charles Leclerc, in junior racing, inherited the responsibility of steering the team back to glory.

However, the disappointment of securing third place in the Constructors’ standings for the 2023 season was a tough pill for Ferrari to swallow. During the Christmas lunch with F1 journalists, a Motorsport.com reporter probed Vasseur about the challenge of accepting this outcome, especially in light of Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna‘s earlier comment that second place is for “the first of the losers.“

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Vasseur, known for his straightforward approach, swiftly shut down the question. He asserted, “We didn’t wait until the end of the championship to talk about it. Ferrari’s advantage is that we have daily discussions.“ With emphasis, he continued, “No one can be happy with what we did at the beginning of the season. Firstly, we had too many problems in terms of reliability. And therefore, I was the first to be upset about this and the performance in general.“

In a refreshing display of transparency, Vasseur highlighted the team’s progress, citing achievements such as five pole positions in the last nine weekends and competitive fights with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. He made it clear that external opinions, including those of Mr. Vigna or Mr. Elkann, didn’t dictate his assessment. “I don’t need Mr. Vigna or Mr. Elkann to tell me that I shouldn’t be happy with third place. That much is clear,“ Vasseur asserted. Despite the disappointment, he expressed satisfaction with the team’s reaction and the significant progress made.

Frederic Vasseur Announces “Aggressive” Changes To Push Ferrari’s Chances at Beating Red Bull

As Ferrari reflects on the challenges of the 2023 season, the team looks forward to a fresh start in 2024. Vasseur revealed that Ferrari is set to change a substantial 95% of the components in their upcoming car, a bold move signaling the team’s commitment to continuous improvement.

Ferrari announces the launch date of their 2024 challenger

Ferrari made a significant announcement during a media event held in Maranello. The eagerly awaited launch date for the team’s 2024 Formula 1 car was revealed by the team principal himself. The Italian team is set to unveil its third car under the current regulations on February 13, a day earlier than its 2023 predecessor.

While Ferrari has remained tight-lipped about the specific details of the upcoming car, Vasseur acknowledged the accelerated timeline, attributing the shift to gaining an extra day before official testing in Bahrain. When questioned about the revolutionary nature of the new car, Vasseur emphasized the constraints of consistent regulations but hinted at significant changes.

“We have the same regulations now three years in a row, you can’t change massively the situation,“ However he did reveal, “We are changing 95% of the components of the car,“ underlining the team’s commitment to pushing the boundaries.

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Do you think Ferrari will challenge Red Bull in 2024 or we will see the same story unfold with Max Verstappen dominating the season? Share your insights in the comments below.