F1 Rumour: Ferrari's Struggles Continue As More Personnel Expected To Leave Team
The start of the 2023 F1 season has been anything but smooth for Ferrari. The team has been hit by a wave of unrest, with key personnel leaving and rumours suggesting that more could follow. The latest to voice his concerns is driver Charles Leclerc, who has reportedly requested a meeting with Ferrari's president, John Elkann, to discuss the situation.
Leclerc's Impatience
Leclerc, who has been with Ferrari for five seasons, is understandably frustrated that he has yet to compete for the world title over a full season. The 25-year-old driver's contract is set to expire after the 2024 season, and rumours have already linked him to Mercedes and other teams. However, according to leading Italian sports newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, Leclerc's departure is currently out of the question.
Winning the world championship with Ferrari is Leclerc's boyhood dream. But to achieve this, the team must first address its current issues with tyre degradation and engine reliability, which have prevented it from competing with Max Verstappen and Red Bull in 2022 and so far in 2023.
The Monegasque came close to giving Verstappen a run for his money in 2022, starting the season off with some fantastic performance. However, as the season progressed, the team suffered from reliability issues and strategical errors which saw Verstappen take a huge lead in the championship.
Sanchez's Departure
The upset at Ferrari is not limited to the drivers. Technical leader David Sanchez has already left, with rumours suggesting that more engineers may follow. Sanchez has reportedly been approached by McLaren after team boss Andrea Stella contacted him. In addition, Sanchez and other engineers are said to have shared their CVs with rival F1 teams.
Iñaki Rueda, last year's strategy chief, is also rumoured to be exploring his options elsewhere. Culture watchers Gino Rosato and Jonathan Giacobazzi have already left Ferrari, leaving a power vacuum at the team. The design of the 2023 car has reportedly suffered as a result, with no one willing to take responsibility for risky choices.
The Future of Ferrari
It is clear that Ferrari is facing significant challenges both on and off the track. The departure of key personnel has left a vacuum that needs to be filled quickly if the team is to compete at the highest level. However, the team has a strong history and a loyal fan base, and there is no doubt that they will be working hard to turn things around.
In the meantime, fans will be watching closely to see how Leclerc, Carlos Sainz, and the team perform in the upcoming races.
Next Race
The next important F1 date is 17-19 March for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.