2023 already brings with it several expectations. New young drivers, rivalries that are rekindled at the sound of the engines, partially revolutionized teams and a technical battle that is getting more and more heated. What will be the factors that will make the difference in the next season and what are the mistakes not to be repeated? We talked about this and the expectations for 2023 with Giuliano Duchessa, journalist, analyst, super enthusiast and co-founder of Formu1a.uno, as well as one of the most accredited and cited sources when it comes to Ferrari and everything that gravitates around it. Especially when it comes to indiscretions – such as the one linked to the presentation of the new single-seater from the Maranello team – Giuliano is always in the front row.
Giuliano, before touching on the hottest topics of the moment, I ask you: we are close to the end of the year. How do you rate 2022 for Formula 1?
“It has been a very positive year in terms of the audience and the public, even very young ones. The interest of the new generation has increased, an aspect that was not taken into consideration before. Without a doubt, Netflix has facilitated everything, as well as the super world challenge by Hamilton and Verstappen in 2021. All aspects that have given the perfect assist for the arrival of the new regulations which have brought about slightly more limited cars on the technical aspect but still able to give a show. It was a shift towards a more general audience. They will be there next year however other news regarding the height of the cars: the edge of the bottom will be slightly higher and the skate must be higher than the reference plane to try not to have any more jumping problems. The path taken by now is that, just look at 2026 with the new engines without MGU-H. In fact, we will try to get a little closer to the road hybrid, i.e. 50% electric and 50% endothermic”.
Ferrari, via Binotto inside Vasseur
Coming instead to the speech Ferrari: how do you rate Binotto's farewell?
“We are talking about a resigned Binotto, even if I don't know if he wanted to take the team off guard after the news of Vasseur had spread. In that week, accompanied by the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, there was undoubtedly a lot of pressure, but everything was already written. I would have preferred to continue with Binotto: let's talk about a car and a team of his own that he was trying to model. Of course when we talk about Ferrari we must always consider a large company, very difficult to change in a short time. If you do But every three or four years, you have too much trouble finding continuity”.
Talking about the results obtained on the track and the work done as team principal, did you like it?
“The season has started too well. We expected a competitive car, this is obvious, just as we were aware of the reliability problems, which, however, were unexpectedly bigger than one might expect. All this has done nothing but put even more pressure than a team like Ferrari already has. Mistake leads to another misstep, as does pressure. We are talking about a team that is not like the others, for better or for worse. Need for this have the patience to correct without distorting, and I wish Vasseur would do so; I think that's the smartest thing."
In its place Vasseur, is he the right man for the Reds?
“I don't have the knowledge to be able to tell whether or not he's the right person. I met Binotto and I can tell you that he is a very high-profile technician, even if we change a couple of things when you become team principal. An example is what concerns the political aspect in which he certainly could have done better while I believe that Vasseur will know how to have the right punch in these situations. With him, however, it changes: Binotto acted as a lightning rod in many situations, which was good from a certain point of view. This year, on the other hand, I think everyone will have to be more responsible”.

The vintage of the FIA
Giuliano, let's touch on the FIA chapter: how did you think the management with the Red Bull-budget cap case? While was it right to include the technical directive during the current season?
“As regards the budget cap, being a financial rule I believe that when you commit an irregularity you must have a sanction. Perhaps, being the first year, there has been a little too much dialogue, but this derives from how the regulations are made. It's a bit difficult to rattle off, but I think we have to be very strict. The directive is a particular matter: safety comes into play here, in which the Federation must do everything possible to avoid problems, even if something should happen, the FIA is primarily responsible. However, it is inevitable that the directive has conditioned the action on the track: the cars have become much slower when in reality the issue of jumping has returned quite promptly”.
Speaking of Red Bull, where in your opinion did Max Verstappen grow up and how can being two-times world champion make a difference?
“There has been a change. He has practically never made mistakes, even if I tell you: I particularly liked him after the two retirements at the beginning of the season. With a traveling Leclerc, he was able to maintain the right calm that led him to the title. He is an extremely bad driver from a competitive point of view who reminds me a lot of Schumacher on the track. Then he is normal: the more experience you have, the more unstoppable you become ”.
Focus 2023
Looking at the line up of riders, who do you pay particular attention to?
“For me, on paper, Hamilton and Russell are the strongest couple. In Ferrari there is Leclerc with an excellent Sainz who was able to recover during the season. But I say: bowls still, if you ask me who can win the world championship, in Ferrari I think Leclerc, in Red Bull Verstappen... while in Mercedes I think both drivers can do it".
Still speaking of regulations, the number of Sprints for next year has increased to six. Does Giuliano like this format?
"I don't like. Primarily because the riders have to be very cautious and then also because of the parc ferme which starts on Friday. The Sprint is a show event that serves to have an extra race. I'm more of the idea of making two qualifications, as it used to be, and finding a way for which Friday from an audience point of view isn't useless, above all by removing the parc fermé. It should be eliminated because if it's dry on Friday and it's raining on Sunday, I can't change anything. Talking to the insiders, considering that in 2023 there will be six, they told me that for them it's a hell of a thing ".
FantaF1, the choices of Giuliano Duchessa
For the Duchess team: tell me three drivers to consider for FantaF1?
“So: I would take Leclerc, Alonso who makes me very curious about Aston Martin and I'm also telling you Nico Hulkenberg. Who knows where this team will take me!”.