Ferrari will be hoping for a better end to the season in 2023 than last year, as the early title favourites were forced to fend off a late advance from Mercedes just to hold on to the runner up spot in the championship.
Strategic errors and an unreliable engine saw the team fall away from the ever-consistent Red Bull, leaving fans frustrated with the performance of team principal Mattia Binotto, who had let down both Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc.
After the pressure ramped up on the Swiss he chose to resign from his role with the Scuderia and has now been replaced by former Alfa Romeo boss Fred Vasseur.
Fans have warned Carlos Sainz that he could be in for a tough time under his new boss, as Vasseur typically prefers to operate with a clear number one driver rather than a strong and competitive pairing.
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Vasseur has previously worked with Charles Leclerc during the Monegasque’s spell with Sauber earlier in his career, meaning that should the new Ferrari boss decided to pick a preferred driver, he would most likely select the 25-year-old.
Sainz has been quick to rubbish claims that Leclerc’s existing relationship with Vasseur could give him a head start in 2023, claiming that he is confident of having a successful time under Vasseur.
“Everyone in the paddock knows him and I’m sure he’ll do well,” said the Spaniard.
“There will be an adjustment period, but Fred knows Formula 1 very well and also Ferrari. Now there will be this preparation phase to then start fully working with him.
“I don’t think I’m starting from scratch. As I said, I’m sure I’ll get on well with him and he’ll be happy with me when he sees me work, my relationship with the team and with Charles.
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“I think his well-tested relationship with Leclerc will be very useful to everyone, also to accelerate his acclimatisation here.”
Sainz got his first taste of victory in Formula 1 in 2022 at Silverstone, winning from pole in an action-packed race, where another strategic blunder saw Leclerc fall out of contention for the race win.
The 28-year-old has said that after two years with Ferrari, he finally feels capable of challenging Leclerc on a regular basis, meaning he will be heading into the Vasseur era with genuine title ambitions.