The 2023 season has apparently begun with Charles Leclerc feeling extremely let down by Ferrari.
Ferrari appeared to have been given a new lease on life by the new regulation changes at the beginning of 2022. The Maranello team became the favorite for the championship thanks to Charles Leclerc’s early race victories, which helped the team build up a sizable lead in both championships.
Sadly, the team lost a significant amount of points due to reliability issues and strategic blunders, which allowed Max Verstappen and Red Bull to make up for the deficit and easily win both titles. With this devastating loss, Ferrari made the decision to bring in Fred Vasseur as team principal in the hopes that new management would help their title chances.
Charles Leclerc’s forced retirement from the race due to an energy store-related problem while running in the podium positions at the start of the 2023 season in Bahrain tragically demonstrated that Vasseur has not yet been able to resolve Ferrari’s issues.
Leclerc is allegedly furious at the recurrence of last season’s problems, and the Monegasque driver has asked for a crisis meeting with Ferrari CEO John Elkann. According to rumors, Leclerc requested this meeting in order to get assurances concerning Ferrari’s future, but team boss Fred Vasseur has clarified that this was a planned meeting.
“We spoke with the drivers, Elkann and Vigna after winter testing, and we will speak again together after Imola,” Vasseur explained. “These meetings are planned.”
The 25-year-old driver’s contract with Ferrari expires at the conclusion of the 2024 season, and there have been rumors that if the Scuderia does not become a legitimate title contender at that time, Charles Leclerc may leave the team.
Given that Lewis Hamilton’s future is still uncertain, Mercedes is rumored to be interested in Leclerc, which has raised speculation that a transfer might take place over the next few years.
Leclerc is not the only employee who has been affected by Ferrari’s terrible start to 2023; several others, including head of concept David Sanchez, have already left the team. According to rumors, race director Laurent Mekies may be the next to be hired after receiving offers from Alpine and the FIA.
