Red Bull was unbeatable for Ferrari: 'It's the experience'

Jock Clear finds it understandable that Ferrari failed to come close to Red Bull Racing's performance in 2022. The senior performance engineer saw the direct rival perform ironclad and during few moments felt the Italians stood a chance.

While Ferrari managed to provide opposition to Red Bull in the early stages of the season, Max Verstappen soon managed to run further away in the world championship. It ensured that after the summer break, there was hardly any excitement to be seen. In conversation with Motorsport.com Clear looks back on that period.

"There were times when it was a bit of a Muhammad Ali approach," he explains. "It looked like you've got them on the ropes and they just squirm a bit and come out and ‘bang’. And you are like: ‘Oh, my God, where did they find that?’"

"I think that's just the experience," the engineer concludes. Clear therefore thinks it is wise for Ferrari to accept the situation and continue the line it has taken into the new year. Indeed, he expects Ferrari to make great strides next season as well.

In doing so, the last year of racing should help. Clear stresses that Ferrari has managed to take pole position frequently and fight for wins, bringing with it a lot of confidence. Next season should show how much that experience will help in achieving its goals.