Charles Leclerc gives important insight into Ferrari’s preparations for the 2023 F1 season

Charles Leclerc discusses where the focus of Ferrari was with the 2023 challenger, dubbed the SF-23, which has recently been unveiled.

Charles Leclerc gives important insight into Ferrari’s preparations for the 2023 F1 season

Charles Leclerc

Ferrari have just revealed their 2023 challenger, dubbed the SF-23. Like the other ones, it’s mostly an evolution of their 2022 livery. The paint has been stripped in some places (weight-saving), but it’s still a fine-looking car. Despite whatever the car looks like, the real question is: How will it perform? In the second half of 2022, the F1-75 left a lot to be desired. Even in the first half, Charles Leclerc retired twice with an engine issue, relinquishing the lead on both occasions.

Key areas to address were engine reliability, tire degradation, and of course, aerodynamic efficiency. Fans will really only find out if they were ‘successful’ once the season gets underway in Bahrain. But they have been given a show of the car on track, as Leclerc drove 2 laps with the SF-23 at Fiorano during the launch event. Carlos Sainz is/was also set to drive 3 laps with it, but it was not broadcasted.

Fans will hope that the SF-23 finally delivers the championships at Ferrari’s doorstep. It’s been a long time, too long for a team of their stature. Leclerc cannot wait to get started. During the launch event, he said: “Spent a lot of time in the Dolomites in Italy for training. Then back in Maranello with a lot of simulator work. One day in the 2021 car which was good. But we’re now finally getting to the start of the season, especially after so much work in this new project like every year, to see the full car mounted is a special feeling.”

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Charles Leclerc: The goal is to win in 2023

Charles Leclerc
Charles Leclerc

On paper, 2022 was Ferrari’s best season since 2018. It was Charles Leclerc’s best season ever. After two years in the midfield in 2020 and 2021, the Scuderia finally competed for wins again. But the general feeling was that the team squandered the F1-75’s potential, even before it became second-best to the Red Bull RB-18. Or sometimes was even bested by the Mercedes W13. This year must be different.

Leclerc said: “I can’t wait for the new season. 2022 was a good step forward compared to the two difficult years before. We finished second in both the Constructors’ and Drivers’ championships, but I’m really looking forward to this new car. We’ve done a great job working on it and trying to address the weaknesses [of the F1-75] on this car.” adding: “The goal is to win, clearly. The feeling of winning is what motivates me and the team. I’m looking forward to getting back in the car and hopefully trying to win the Championship.”

The expectations around Ferrari, as always, are sky-high. The drivers, Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, but also Frederic Vasseur will feel it on their shoulders. The whole team will. But they cannot buckle under the pressure. At the very least, they must be in the championship fight until the very end – anything less is almost unacceptable.

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