“Fortunately, the world championship is not decided in the first race”

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Friday at 12:30 Swiss time, the 20 hungry lions are finally released from the winter cage: first GP practice session on Bahrain’s desert highway.

“This time I’m very nervous,” says new red animal tamer Frédéric Vasseur (54). Of all the team bosses, the Frenchman is clearly under the most pressure. Vasseur can actually only lose after 2022 and his predecessor Mattia Binotto (53). He must bring at least one world title to Maranello. After 15 failed years.

Vasseur: “You are always busy”

Last year’s conductor at Alfa-Sauber: “After barely a month in Italy, I was attacked by the red virus.” And the pressure? “You always have that. Fortunately, the World Cup will not be decided in the first race in 2023 either.”

Ferrari is taking part in its 1053rd Formula 1 race in Bahrain, where the world championship begins for the fifth time since its premiere in 2004. With 242 you have as many wins as pole positions. Like Sir Lewis Hamilton with 103 successes and best starting places!

Despite five victories in the Sakhir Desert, the Briton only considers himself a blatant outsider. His Mercedes teammate Russell sees it this way: “Red Bull drives away from everyone. Ferrari, Aston Martin and we are fighting for the next places.” And what does two-time world champion and super favorite Max Verstappen (25) in the Red Bull Honda say? “We are our biggest opponent.”

Source : Blick