Ferrari ‘have to deliver’ in 2023 says Vasseur, as he reflects on ‘intense’ start to life at the Scuderia
New Ferrari team boss Frederic Vasseur has taken time to assess his first few weeks in the role, admitting that he already “feels the responsibility” to deliver for the famous Italian marque.
Vasseur started work at Ferrari in early January, having moved from Alfa Romeo to take the position previously held by Mattia Binotto, who left the Scuderia over the winter after almost 30 years onboard.
FIRST LOOK: Ferrari reveal their 2023 SF-23 F1 car at Maranello
Asked about his time at Ferrari so far during the launch of the team’s new F1 challenger, the SF-23, Vasseur said: “It’s intense, as you can imagine. You can feel the responsibility for the team; it’s a great honour.
“But at the end of the day, I think the most important is to be successful – we will have to deliver. I don’t want to be very happy because I am at Ferrari. The most important is to win and the challenge is in front of us.“
Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz are getting an initial feel for the SF-23 on Tuesday, with the pair conducting a shakedown at Ferrari’s Fiorano test track – the Monegasque driving first before handing over to his team mate.
However, when it comes to Vasseur’s winning target and ending a title drought that stretches back to 2008, he insisted that both drivers will receive equal treatment as the season begins, saying: “Honestly, I don’t care [who is fastest]. The most important is to have Ferrari first – this is the target of all the team.
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“For sure, we will push for both drivers in the same way. Let’s see what happens in Bahrain, but the most important is to put Ferrari first.”
As Vasseur touched on, all F1 teams will head to Bahrain for pre-season testing from February 23-25, with the opening round taking place at the same Sakhir venue the following weekend.
