After their most optimistic off-season for a decade, Ferrari could already be out of the running for both 2023 World Championships, and their technical staff looks set to be gutted at the end of the year.
Head of vehicle concept David Sanchez announced his surprise immediate departure, most likely for McLaren, while other key senior figures have contracts expiring at the end of 2023.
That includes Enrico Cardile, Ferrari‘s head of chassis, who appears to be in a prove-it year at Maranello.
He’s been in that role since the start of 2021 so had a hand in the F1-75 that propelled Ferrari to second in the drivers’ and constructors’ championships under the new regulations, but after a difficult start to the 2023 season it looks like it could be all change at the team.
All change at Ferrari
While Ferrari appeared confident in the off-season that they could challenge Red Bull for the title, after pre-season testing and the first grand prix of the year they look to be lodged in a battle for second with Aston Martin.
Leclerc qualified third and believed he could’ve challenged for pole position in Bahrain as he sat second, just a tenth behind Max Verstappen, after their first Q3 runs but was jumped by Sergio Perez after Ferrari opted not to go for a second flying lap.
Then in the race, Leclerc pulled up on lap 39 while Carlos Sainz was passed late on by Fernando Alonso to nudge Ferrari out of the podium places.
Alongside Cardile, race director Laurent Mekies is said to be close to exiting the team after he reportedly tried to leave the team for an F1 role alongside Stefano Domenicali, but was blocked.
That’s just two names in what could be a scarlet exodus but there’s trouble brewing even higher up too.
According to Italian media, Leclerc met with Ferrari president John Elkann to discuss the rumours, while the relationship between team principal Fred Vasseur and CEO Benedetto Vigna is reportedly already strained as Vasseur travelled to Bahrain with Toto Wolff.
