New Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur has laughed off speculation that their new F1 car will have 30bhp more than the 2022 version.

The Scuderia are looking for a positive 2023 to play out after last season saw them produce a quick car which had some reliability issues.

Indeed, if they can combine speed and robustness they should have a good platform on which to build a title challenge this coming year, but ultimately we'll only start seeing where they rank once we get to Bahrain.

In the meantime, speculation, as ever, is raging about the new car from the sport's oldest team, with reports in their native Italy suggesting the car could be up to a second a lap quicker than its predecessor and also packing 30bhp more than the 2022 edition.

Very big claims indeed, and new team boss Vasseur has laughed off those suggestions:

"I don't know where the numbers are coming from, but it is just a joke!

"We made some steps but it is just about reliability, the performance of the engine was not an issue at all. The issue was the reliability, and the first target is to fix it. So far it looks okay, but the reality on the track is a different aspect.

Charles Leclerc driving in Mexico

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - OCTOBER 29: Charles Leclerc of Monaco driving the (16) Ferrari F1-75 on track during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on October 29, 2022 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

"There are a couple of issues that the team suffered. It is not just true for Ferrari, but in terms of reliability it is also coming from the track operation, bouncing and vibration.

"I think and I hope that it's under control today, that they did what looks to be a good job over the last couple of months. Everybody will have a much better picture in Bahrain."

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