Ferrari Executive Director on 2nd Place in Mexico

3 days ago7 min read

Ferrari’s Executive Director Benedetto Vigna cut a figure of measured resolve in the wake of Charles Leclerc’s second-place finish at the Mexican Grand Prix, a result that encapsulates the Scuderia’s entire 2023 campaign: promising, yet perpetually just shy of the ultimate prize. In a sport where the difference between legend and also-ran is measured in thousandths of a second, Vigna’s candid admission that 'there are teams that surpass us in everything' is a stark, unvarnished assessment of the current Formula 1 pecking order.The Prancing Horse, a name synonymous with racing royalty, finds itself in a familiar but frustrating role—the primary challenger to the seemingly unstoppable force that is Red Bull and Max Verstappen. This dynamic is reminiscent of other great sporting rivalries, like FC Barcelona facing a relentless rival in their prime; the talent and heritage are undeniable, but the final piece of the championship puzzle remains elusive.Vigna’s acknowledgment that the team must 'ensure everything necessary for victory works as it should' points directly to the multifaceted challenges Ferrari faces. It’s not merely about raw engine power, an area where they have often been competitive, but a holistic performance deficit.The strategic acumen displayed by Red Bull’s pit wall, the relentless development race back at the factory in Maranello versus Milton Keynes, and the razor-sharp operational execution on race day—these are the battlegrounds where championships are now won and lost. The SF-23 has been a capricious beast, a car capable of stunning qualifying laps from Leclerc, who can wring its neck for a single flying lap like few others, yet often proves a handful in race trim, chewing through its Pirelli tyres with an appetite that its rivals simply don't share.This second place in Mexico, while a cause for celebration for any midfield team, is a bittersweet consolation for a outfit with Ferrari’s history. It’s a podium, yes, but it’s another data point in a season that Vigna concedes has 'not unfolded as we expected,' a masterclass in diplomatic understatement.With only four races remaining in the campaign, the focus now shifts from a near-impossible assault on the championships to a brutal dogfight for second in the Constructors' standings against a resurgent McLaren. This intra-chase battle is as much about pride and momentum as it is about prize money.Every point, every strategic gamble, and every pit stop in the final rounds in Brazil, Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi will be scrutinized under the immense pressure of the *tifosi*'s expectations. The team must 'lay it all on the line,' as Vigna stated, not just for 2023, but to build a foundation of a winning culture for 2024.The off-season will be a critical period of introspection and innovation, a time to analyze why concepts that looked promising on the simulator failed to translate to the track, and to ensure that the much-anticipated 2024 challenger is a machine that can consistently fight at the very front from the lights out in Bahrain. The legacy of drivers like Michael Schumacher, who built an era of dominance on a foundation of relentless attention to detail and flawless execution, looms large over every decision made at Maranello. The question for Ferrari is no longer if they have the resources or the driver talent—they unequivocally do—but whether they can marshal those assets with the cold, clinical efficiency required to dethrone a dynasty in the making.

#[editorial picks news

#Ferrari

#Formula 1

#Mexican Grand Prix

#Charles Leclerc

#team performance

#second place

#Scuderia Ferrari

#motorsport]

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