The Scuderia, which has not won since the Austrian Grand Prix held on July 10, finished second in the constructors’ championship, behind the team of double and reigning world champion Max Verstappen.
The drought seems endless for the team with the most titles in F1 history: the last drivers’ title dates back to 2007 (Kimi Räikkönen), and the constructors’ title to 2008.
“The most important thing for us is to put Ferrari first,” said on Tuesday at the historic headquarters of Maranello, in Emilia-Romagna (center), the French Frédéric Vasseur, the new director of Ferrari in F1, arrived from Alfa Romeo after the march by Mattia Binotto in November.
With its traditional red bodywork with black details, the 2023 version of the single-seater – baptized SF-23 – will have to demonstrate greater reliability than last season, marred by a large number of retirements.
“Last year, it is not a secret, the engine was not the strong point (of the car). We have done a good job and we are ready for the season,” said Vasseur.
“The goal is to win, clearly,” said Monegasque Charles Leclerc, runner-up in the world and once again a year holder of one of the two midfielders of the “prancing horse” brand, along with Carlos Sainz Jr.
The Spaniard was “confident” less than three weeks before the first Grand Prix in Bahrain (March 5). “I have worked hard this winter to prepare myself. Last year I had my share of success but it was not an easy season (…), I know I can do really good things.”
At the moment, Ferrari still has not defined its main driver, so during the presentation, Leclerc and Sainz played heads or tails who would take a few laps with the car.