(Motorsports news) There was hope in the Ferrari camp that they would be able to equalize the scores and challenge Red Bull for the championship after being the only team to challenge the latter in 2022. However, the Scuderia suffered a setback at the beginning of 2023 when, during testing in Bahrain, the car performed below expectations and failed to maintain racing pace, particularly on hot, high-downforce tracks.

Ferrari’s principal Vasseur cautions against repeating his 2023 optimism, even though he believes the team may learn courage from how it stabilized its performance across various circuit types in the latter part of the year—during which it was the only team to prevent Red Bull from winning 22 races in a row. “For sure, I think the level of expectation was a bit too high at the beginning of the season,” Vasseur stated.

“After a few circuits in Bahrain and even a few laps in the simulator prior to Bahrain, we immediately grasped the scenario. “But this season, I would pay attention to Ferrari’s response. We had a difficult time, but keep in mind that Zandvoort is not that far away from Jeddah, Miami, Spain, or any other place, yet we were almost surpassed there.

“I believe that we all made a significant advancement that will benefit us in the long run as compared to Zandvoort. Ferrari can develop for next year on this progression.” Ferrari has decided to tackle its shortcomings from the ground up by designing a whole new car for the upcoming season, as opposed to making incremental improvements. Although drivers Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc aim for a closer battle in 2024, it is impossible to disregard the possibility that Red Bull will shift its attention to the following year before the other elite teams.

“I don’t know if it will be better next year, nobody knows,” Vasseur continued. “However, you are aware of what you are doing in your company, and comparison is always necessary. “You look foolish if you can make up one second while the others are managing 1.5s. However, you appear to be a hero if they perform five tenths. “I don’t want to go ahead of myself because we most likely ran across this problem the previous season.

“We just have to be focused on what we are doing and not think about the outcome of the championship before it is won or to look at the prize-giving ceremony before Bahrain.”

Also read: Piastri: The F1 2023 will be a wilder ride than anticipated