The Bahrain Grand Prix went perfectly for Ferrari last season, with Charles Leclerc winning the race while Carlos Sainz finished second to score a stunning one-two for the Scuderia.
Leclerc and Ferrari then went on to build a strong lead in both championships before reliability issues and strategic errors opened to door for Max Verstappen and Red Bull to cruise to both titles.
Heading into 2023 the goal for Ferrari was simple, to go one step further and win the championship instead of Red Bull.
The season has started off horribly for the Scuderia however, with neither of their drivers ending the Bahrain Grand Prix on the podium.
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Red Bull look untouchable and cruised to a front row lockout and one-two finish, while Carlos Sainz was unable to hold off Fernando Alonso and was forced to settle for a P4 finish.
Leclerc looked to be on for a podium finish but was forced to retire from the race following a power unit failure related to his energy store.
The team had changed the energy store before the race, meaning that if the 25-year-old wishes to use a third energy store over the course of the season, he will be forced to take a grid penalty.
Following the disappointing start to the season, Ferrari are reportedly already in crisis, with multiple members of staff rumoured to be handing their CVs around the paddock to other teams.
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Charles Leclerc has also reportedly requested to have a crisis meeting with Ferrari chief executive John Elkann where he wishes to discuss the team’s unacceptable start to the year.
The Monegasque driver’s contract with Ferrari expires at the end of next season and there have been rumours that Leclerc look to take his services elsewhere, should the situation at Ferrari not improve.
The 25-year-old will be looking for assurances that the Scuderia can and will challenge for the title in the near future if he is to commit his future to Ferrari, something which the team will be looking to prove to their driver this year.