Fred Vasseur provides an update on the new F1 car and shares candid thoughts on Max Verstappen potentially joining Ferrari: “Never say never.”

In the 2022 campaign, Ferrari had arguably the strongest car at the onset of the new season regulations, establishing a substantial lead in both championships. However, their commanding position was challenged when Max Verstappen entered the scene and managed to shift the spotlight away from the Italian team.

Despite having promising drivers, the team has been struggling to maintain its momentum after the victory at the Singapore GP this season. However, the team principal believes that significant changes are on the horizon for Ferrari’s F1 car in the 2024 season.

Fred Vasseur provides update on car upgrades

In a recent interview with Gazzeta dello Sport, Fred Vasseur, the team principal of Ferrari, briefly outlined the timeline for their upcoming upgrades in the 2023 Formula One season. According to Vasseur, Ferrari is set to introduce new upgrades either in Qatar or Austin, providing them with 5 or 6 races to gauge their performances.

Vasseur revealed that the development on the current SF-23 has been halted, with the focus shifting entirely to the F1 2024 challenger. Resources are now dedicated to the forthcoming season, emphasizing a strategic decision to make their position stable in the evolving environment of Formula One.

A key objective for the Ferrari 2024 car is to create a vehicle that allows the driver to be more flexible, reducing the need to constantly operate at the limit. The strategic shift comes in response to challenges faced due to the current season, most importantly due to the frequent crashes experienced by driver Charles Leclerc in his efforts to push beyond the limit.

To provide a more detailed perspective on the performance improvements, Vasseur stated that the October upgrades are expected to be worth four tenths of a second. Looking ahead, the team anticipates that the 2024 car will be nearly 8 tenths faster, with ongoing developments already planned.

Fred Vasseur on Max Verstappen joining Ferrari

In response to inquiries regarding the speculation surrounding Max Verstappen potentially joining Ferrari after the conclusion of his current contract, the team principal Fred Vasseur provided a response that left the audience in a state of confusion.

He said, “I believe that if the same question were asked to the ten Team Principals on the grid, they would all be happy to have him on the team.”

“Max has a contract until 2026 with Red Bull. We need to focus on ourselves so as not to lose energy and work on our own things, thinking about who is on the team. It’s not just a question of drivers, but we need to look at the whole. So, to date, it is not an aspect we need to discuss.”

However, he did not deny the possibility of Verstappen joining Ferrari one day: “But I also say: never say never.”

Will Ferrari be able to deliver promising performances with the help of the new car in 2024? Let us know your opinions in the comment section below.