Ferrari dismiss rivals’ worries in Vasseur’s first big-time battle

The SF-23’s S-Duct concept is the cause of Ferrari’s competitors requesting clarification from the FIA about its legality, Formu1a.uno reported.

New team principal Vasseur has put rivals in their place, saying: “Well, as you may know, all the teams are in contact with the FIA.

“And we did exactly the same and there is no issue at all.”

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Vasseur, speaking on the first day of 2023 preseason testing in Bahrain, may look back on this as the first of many potential rows as the new team boss at a major team.

The S-Duct concept on Ferrari’s new car is to optimise airflow towards the rear of the car. 

It is a complex design which other teams would unlikely to be able to replicate.

Vasseur, meanwhile, has been given an early reminder of the scrutiny that any upgrades at a team of Ferrari’s stature will come under.