Jean Alesi, Ferrari F93A, with Ayrton Senna, McLaren MP4-8, spinning and Damon Hill, Williams FW15C
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Formula 1 / Miami GP Special feature

The 30-year-old parallels Ferrari faces in modern F1

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Ferrari is enduring a season of inconsistency - not just with its car, but with its drivers attempting to overcompensate for a lack of pace. This underperformance, at a time of managerial change, parallels that of 1993. Is Ferrari doomed to repeat history from 30 years ago?

Considering the opening five races of the 2023 season, Ferrari’s current Formula 1 duo have endured largely different fortunes. On one hand, we have a rapid but wayward Charles Leclerc, who has excelled and frustrated in equal measure while driving on the ragged edge. On the other, we have Carlos Sainz, who has trailed his team-mate in terms of raw pace but has been an altogether more consistent presence behind the wheel.

It’s a duo that has been selected on their prodigious talent as Ferrari hopes to end its championship drought, which spans back to its constructors’ and drivers' double success in 2007, and was considered one of the strongest line-ups on the grid when the two were first put together for the 2021 season. But this season has exposed a couple of weaknesses, namely Sainz’s inability to consistently match Leclerc in qualifying, while Leclerc has got into the habit of overdriving – leading to his brace of Turn 7 mistakes in Miami.

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