Fred Vasseur dismisses B-car rumors as Ferrari is “sticking to the plan” for the SF-23

Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur was clear that the team will continue its planned development for the SF-23.

Fred Vasseur dismisses B-car rumors as Ferrari is “sticking to the plan” for the SF-23

Fred Vasseur

Scuderia Ferrari has failed to have a great start in the 2023 F1 season. The Italian team has struggled to match arch-rival Red Bull and has even dropped down the pecking order. Many reckoned that the Scuderia might be forced to consider changing its design concept. Something is already under development at Mercedes. However, Ferrari chief Fred Vasseur has ruled out such a plan for this season.

The Frenchman dismissed any speculation over a change in the design philosophy. Fred stated, “No, I don’t think so.” Moreover, the 54-year-old shed light on the team’s upgrade plan for the upcoming races. Fred Vasseur explained, “We have a flow of updates that will come, not for Baku… but for Miami, Imola, not Monaco, and Barcelona. At each race, we’ll have an update on the car.” Vassuer cited the nature of the Baku Sprint weekend for the lack of upgrades.

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Ferrari has not made the progress it hoped for this season

The Ferrari Boss was adamant that the team would follow its development roadmap. Fred Vasseur said, “We are sticking to the plan.” Additionally, the Frenchman suggested that the Scuderia had made progress at the Australian GP. He continued, “We have made some adjustments in terms of balance and behavior. And it was much better in Melbourne, and we’ll continue in this direction.”

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Ferrari “won’t come with something completely different,”: Fred Vasseur

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The SF-23 is no match for the dominant RB-19

The 54-year-old emphasized that Maranello will not introduce an SF-23B car. Vasseur said, “It’s not a B-car if that is what you want to say.” Despite the underwhelming results so far, with Charles Leclerc only scoring 6 points, Fred Vasseur insists the team will continue its planned development. Subsequently, He stated, “We won’t come with something completely different. We will continue to update this one and we’ll try to update massively.”

Fred Vasseur’s comments contradict the rumors that have done rounds in the paddock. Many believed that Ferrari might completely overhaul its car. With upgrades planned for 3-4 Grand Prixes as the car transitioned in stages. The Azerbaijan GP, San Marino GP, and Carlos Sainz‘s home race in Barcelona were reckoned to be the ground for this change. However, Vasseur has directly put an end to such speculation.

Thus, it is clear that Ferrari is confident with the design approach for the SF-23. Fed Vasseur believes the team can extract the desired pace out of the car over the course of the season as upgrades are brought for the upcoming rounds. It remains to be seen whether the Scuderia can turn things around through this approach. Or if Maranello is forced to bite the bullet and go back to the drawing board.

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