Fred Vasseur indirectly blames Matti Binotto for Ferrari’s disastrous start to 2023

Fred Vasseur has secured just one podium since taking over the team from Mattia Binotto.

Fred Vasseur indirectly blames Matti Binotto for Ferrari’s disastrous start to 2023

Fred Vasseur (image via Racer), Mattia Binotto (image via MotorsportWeek)

Scuderia Ferrari started out the new ground-effect era of Formula 1, closely behind Red Bull. However, the Italian team slowly fell behind Milton Keynes throughout 2022. Moreover, Maranello was no match for Red Bull or Aston Martin and Mercedes in 2023. Ferrari Team Boss Fred Vasseur has now hinted at his predecessor’s choices for such a downfall this season.

The Frenchman indirectly hinted that it was the decisions made by Mattia Binotto‘s administration that hampered the prospects of its 2023 challenger. He said, “I don’t want to blame anyone. But last year certain choices were made [with the car].” The 55-year-old made it clear that the team was aware of having a tough season ahead right from its shakedown in Fiorano.

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Fred added, “From the first km in Fiorano, and testing in Bahrain, we understood they weren’t working.” The Frenchman mentioned that some characteristics of the car’s behavior were underestimated by the team’s simulator. This further hurt the development work over the winter while its rivals made rapid progress.

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Ferrari is far from a race win in 2023

Charles Leclerc, 2023 Monaco GP (image via MotorsportWeek)
Charles Leclerc, 2023 Monaco GP (image via MotorsportWeek)

The Scuderia fell behind Aston Martin and Mercedes at the start of the 2023 season. Although, the Italian team has been close in Qualifying pace, with Charles Leclerc claiming the pole position for the Azerbaijan GP. Yet, the team has had no answer regarding race pace. With Leclerc and Carlos Sainz struggling to keep up with competitors.

Ferrari has brought significant upgrades throughout this season. Under Vasseur, the Scuderia has finally abandoned its initial design philosophy in favor of designs that resemble Red Bull RB-19. Although, these upgrades will take some time to help the Prancing Horse get back to winning ways truly. Before the 2024 challenger can hit the track.

Fred Vasseur insists that the team’s choices in the car’s development last season put Ferrari on the back foot. The Italian team was aware of its issues from day one of the car hitting the track. As such, it seems the Frenchman had to make some corrections during his first few weeks of leading Maranello at the start of this year

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