SUMMARY
- Ferrari is the only non-Redbull Grand Prix winner of the 2023 season.
- Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc have bagged 200 and 206 points respectively.
As Ferrari gears up for the upcoming season, team principal Fred Vasseur acknowledges a delay in finalizing new contracts with drivers Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz. Vasseur assured fans that new contracts are on the way, despite the team’s struggles with negotiating the agreements. He clarified that neither driver had made an indication that they might like to leave Ferrari in the future.
Winter break ends on January 9–10, when the drivers are anticipated to arrive back at Maranello. Despite Prancing Horse’s prior tradition of having a first and second driver, Vasseur highlighted that Leclerc and Sainz receive identical treatment, highlighting their comparable point totals from the latest 2023 season. While the Monegasque driver landed 206 points, Sainz bagged himself 200.
Ferrari announces a target date for renewal of contracts
Despite falling behind their intended schedule, Vasseur is committed to negotiating terms for both drivers before the onset of the 2024 season. According to the French team boss, “The aim is to renew them before next season, yes…We have only recently started the renewal discussions. We are behind Mercedes, which announced the renewals of both its drivers in August, but this is not a problem.”
🚨 | Fred Vasseur say Leclerc and Sainz will both sign new contracts.
The aim is to have both deals finalised before next season begins.
[@GiulyDuchessa] pic.twitter.com/xQ5vgjJGgV
— formularacers (@formularacers_) December 17, 2023
Ferrari has to tread carefully since both Leclerc and Sainz’s agreements expire at the end of 2024, raising the possibility of a return to the title discussion. Although the Spaniard emerged victorious in Singapore, becoming the only non-Red Bull Grand Prix winner of the year, Vasseur hinted at prospects for further triumphs in the upcoming campaign.
The Italian team unveiled the launch of their 2024 F1 car
Scuderia Ferrari has made public the 2024 car’s launch date, establishing an all-new benchmark among the teams in the paddock. The third car in the present series of rules, this one was much sought after and was slated to be presented on February 13. It is interesting to recall that this declaration will take place one day ahead of the Ferrari SF-23’s 2023 debut.
🚨I OFFICIAL: The launch of the 2024 Ferrari F1 car will be on the 13th of February 2024! 🤩🔥
SAVE THE DATE! 🗓 #f1 #scuderiaferrari #formula1 pic.twitter.com/83NjBb9t1F
— FORMULA ROOM (@formularoom) December 17, 2023
While talking to the media about their upgraded and brand-new machinery, Fred Vasseur said, “I think also some other teams are doing it on the 14th, but it’s quite challenging to be ready for Bahrain. And it will be… ‘revolution’ is your word, we are changing 95% of the components of the car, perhaps you can consider that it’s a revolution, I don’t know if it will be.”
Looking back at the previous season, the Red Bull RB19 and the Ferrari car shared the victory in the grand prix. However, details about the upcoming 2024 car, including its name, remain undisclosed by the team. Vasseur acknowledged the revised timetable for group testing in Bahrain. The three-day test, being held before the first race, will start on February 21.