Fred Vasseur rules out copying Red Bull as Ferrari will ‘stick to its plan’ for their car

Fred Vasseur is confident that Ferrari can close-up to Red Bull with its own design approach.

Fred Vasseur rules out copying Red Bull as Ferrari will ‘stick to its plan’ for their car

Fred Vasseur. Image via Twitter.

Ferrari have struggled to match the pace of their arch-rival, Red Bull. The Milton Keynes outfit has gone on to win all five races of the 2023 F1 season. Rumors emerged that Maranello might follow the design approach of the RB-19 by bringing in similar side pods for the SF23. However, Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur has dismissed these rumors.

The Frenchman was asked about potentially going for the same side pods as Red Bull. Vasseur declined the possibility as the 54-year-old believed a single design component cannot alone help solve the pace deficit. He said, “I think it would be a mistake first to think that the performance is coming from a single pillar. The performance is coming from everywhere.”

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Additionally, the Ferrari boss believed that copying a rival’s concept already showed that the team is behind in the development race. Vasseur continued, “On the top, if you have to duplicate something, it means that you are always late.” Fred was clear that with the new regulations and the F1 cost cap, Ferrari cannot afford to duplicate Adrian Newey‘s designed RB-19.

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Subsequently, Maranello is confident in its own trajectory with a big package planned for the Emilia Romagna GP in Imola. Fred Vasseur explained, “Now with the cost cap and the fact that the car is almost frozen between two seasons, it’s quite impossible to copy someone. It means that we have to stick to our plan and try to develop our platform.”

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Ferrari needs to do a “better job,” reckons Fred Vasseur

Ferrari.Image via Twitter.
Ferrari.Image via Twitter.

Vasseur pointed out the massive advantage Red Bull enjoys with the DRS compared to the Italian team. Subsequently, Fred reckons that the team must work on this area if it wants to match Christian Horner‘s team. He stated, “If you have a look on the speed trace I think they have a decent advantage with the DRS.We have to understand and to do a better job on this, for sure.”

The 54-year-old was convinced that Ferrari can match the Austrian team with the SF23. But, only if it can keep up with in-season development. Vasseur believed that this way the team will not have to look at the RB-19 for inspiration. He concluded, “The fact that the car is also more stable. I think it’s giving you an advantage in terms of aero stability. But it’s not [by] copying the Red Bull that we’ll move forward.”

Thus, Fred Vasseur has made it clear that Ferrari will not try to imitate the RB-19. Ferrari seems confident in its own design approach and understands that a single design element cannot turn the tables. However, it remains to be seen if this plan works for Maranello. And whether the upgrade package at Imola delivers the anticipated results.

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