Neither Charles Leclerc nor Carlos Sainz have put pen to paper on a brand new Ferrari contract in line with staff boss Frederic Vasseur; 2023 was Vasseur’s first season accountable for Ferrari and so they have been the one staff to assert a race victory throughout Pink Bull’s record-breaking marketing campaign
Final Up to date: 16/12/23 11:08pm
Workforce principal Frederic Vasseur says Ferrari are “not in a rush” to signal new contracts with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz.
Each drivers’ present offers expire on the finish of 2024 with 12 different drivers on the F1 grid additionally having contracts that run out subsequent 12 months.
However Leclerc has reportedly signed a brand new five-year deal to stick with Ferrari till 2029 in line with the Italian media whereas Sainz’s future continues to be not clear.
Vasseur had beforehand stated he anticipated the offers to be agreed by the tip of 2023, however is now pointing to rivals Mercedes ready till August earlier this 12 months to seal an extension with Lewis Hamilton, whose earlier contract had been set to run out on the finish of the 12 months.
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Each Toto Wolff and Christian Horner say they’d not be stunned if, as anticipated, Charles Leclerc agrees a brand new long-term cope with Ferrari
Each Toto Wolff and Christian Horner say they’d not be stunned if, as anticipated, Charles Leclerc agrees a brand new long-term cope with Ferrari
“We aren’t in a rush to increase the offers however have began discussions. Mercedes did it in August. We aren’t in a rush in any respect,” Vasseur informed Sky Italy.
“This season, I used to be anticipating to do it earlier than the tip of the 12 months. However the season was an enormous one and we have now began the dialogue. However, once more, we’re not in a rush.”
Leclerc, who got here by means of the Ferrari academy earlier than beginning his F1 profession with Sauber, has been on the staff since 2019. Sainz joined in 2021, having beforehand pushed for Toro Rosso, Renault and McLaren.
Vasseur: Vital to not be boastful
Ferrari missed out on second place within the 2023 Constructors’ Championship by three factors to Mercedes regardless of Leclerc’s three podiums within the closing 4 races.
Sainz took the one non-Pink Bull win of the 12 months on the Singapore Grand Prix and was simply six factors behind his team-mate within the Drivers’ Championship, the Ferrari duo ending fifth and seventh.
Vasseur, who took over Mattia Binotto as staff boss initially of the 12 months, thinks Ferrari “should not be scared to take dangers” after taking a “large step ahead” within the second half of the season.
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On the F1 2023 Season Overview present, Naomi Schiff and Martin Brundle define what Ferrari have to do to be aggressive on the entrance of the grid subsequent 12 months
On the F1 2023 Season Overview present, Naomi Schiff and Martin Brundle define what Ferrari have to do to be aggressive on the entrance of the grid subsequent 12 months
“I am at all times apprehensive as a result of it is my job to! Even if you’re solely centered on your self it is essential to not be boastful,” stated Vasseur.
“I have been doing this job for six years and it is at all times a very good lesson of humility as a result of you are able to do a very good job one Sunday, then the Sunday after you might be nowhere.
“It is a regular course of. It is to not be apprehensive…we simply want to enhance in all places and that is crucial message.
“It is not that Pink Bull have a magic bullet that places them 4 tenths forward. They’re most likely higher than us with 10 issues value 4 hundredths. We have to do small steps in all places and maintain this mindset.”
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Actors Patrick Dempsey and Penelope Cruz talk about the expertise of engaged on the brand new movie ‘Ferrari’, which tells the story of the staff’s founder, Enzo
Actors Patrick Dempsey and Penelope Cruz talk about the expertise of engaged on the brand new movie ‘Ferrari’, which tells the story of the staff’s founder, Enzo
Vasseur sees Verstappen because the benchmark
A record-breaking season for Max Verstappen noticed him rating greater than twice as many factors as runner-up Sergio Perez, with Pink Bull 451 factors forward of Mercedes and 454 factors in entrance of Ferrari within the Constructors’ Championship.
Ferrari have not received a title in F1 since 2008 with Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel failing to turn out to be world champion with the crimson staff throughout that interval.
In 2022, Leclerc led the early levels of the championship as Ferrari and Pink Bull went head-to-head within the first half of the season. Nonetheless, their title problem shortly pale away on account of errors from driver and staff, plus reliability woes.
Vasseur insists Ferrari’s progress again to the entrance is “all about particulars” and is happy with the perspective of the staff throughout his first 12 months in cost as they appear to get again on phrases with Pink Bull.
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Relive a number of the finest and worst moments Ferrari had throughout the 2023 Method One season
Relive a number of the finest and worst moments Ferrari had throughout the 2023 Method One season
“For certain he [Verstappen] would be the benchmark. They [Red Bull] had a bonus this season and I am certain they may enhance subsequent 12 months,” added Vasseur.
“However for those who take a look at the final a part of the season I feel we made a step on the technical aspect and we’re a lot nearer to them in qualy and the race.
“Even within the races we might combat with him and doing this, they may most likely do some extra errors. It is like a snowball. In the event you make a step ahead, you get extra motivation and the others wrestle a bit extra. Now we have to take it step-by-step and never think about we will probably be profitable each single weekend.”
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