Scuderia Ferrari is able to place one of its Driver Academy members at Haas, which is currently used by Mick Schumacher, but the agreement that offered the Maranello team the possibility of having a slot at Alfa Romeo Racing – used by Charles Leclerc three years ago and then by Italian driver Antonio Giovinazzi – is no longer available started with the 2022 Formula One season.
Despite the fact that Alfa boss Fred Vasseur has not specifically confirmed that Antoio Giovinazzi will leave the team at the end of this season, Alfa is looking at other options to partner Bottas in 2022 – and given the absence of other available drives, Antonio Giovinazzi would not have a place on the 2022 Formula 1 grid.
At a time when Red Bull has been able to place Alex Albon at Williams and the Mercedes-supported Esteban Ocon is driving for Alpine, Ferrari has lost out as it tries to define the career paths of its youngsters.
Callum Ilott, who served alongside Robert Kubica as reserve driver this year, is already looking into options to pursue an alternative route in IndyCar.
There is no obvious way forward for Robert Shwartzman, who currently lies third in the F2 championship in his second season in the category. Marcus Armstrong, who is only 14th, is further away from an F1 shot.
On a positive note next year all teams will be obliged to provide some FP1 running to young drivers on race weekends under a proposed new rule.
“Certainly it’s a shame that obviously there are very little opportunities for seats in F1,” said Mattia Binotto when asked about the future of Ferrari’s junior drivers by Autosport – “And there are not many alternatives. I think a driver is really very strong, he is always finding somehow maybe an opportunity, but it’s something on which we need to help, the introduction of rookies in F1. Certainly as Ferrari we are trying to promote the young drivers, we’ve got our own Ferrari Driver Academy, we are giving them as much opportunity as they can have to drive an F1 car. So it’s somehow important as well to try to create opportunities in F1. That’s why the discussion with F1 and the FIA is important. Between teams, F1, FIA, we’re always discussing how we may help them through extra sessions, extra testing, participating to some race weekends. It’s certainly an important discussions that we need to have. And to conclude, because we certainly need to promote the young drivers in our cars.” – he explained.
Regarding Shwartzman’s chances, Mattia Binotto explained: “I think first we need to conclude the championship, and stay focused on it. It has not been not an easy season for him so far. But he’s very focused, trying to finish well, so we will not distract him on the performance, and keep him focused, and we will encourage him to try to do as good as he can from now to the end of the season.” – the Ferrari boss concluded.
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