Ferrari junior Robert Shwartzman gives verdict on FP1 run at Zandvoort with Sauber. Robert Shwartzman, Ferrari's third driver, on his FP1 run at Zandvoort.

Robert Shwartzman’s debut in Sauber
Formula 1 returned to the track for FP1 of the Dutch Grand Prix after the summer break, in weather and track conditions that were far from easy for the drivers. The session, which started with rain and strong winds, saw a gradual improvement in the track, so much so that in the last ten minutes almost all the drivers set their times on slick tires. Among them was Robert Shwartzman, Ferrari’s third driver, participating for the first time behind the wheel of the Sauber.

Behind Fernando Alonso
After completing 15 laps, the 24-year-old Russian-Israeli finished in 16th place, behind Fernando Alonso and almost 2 tenths behind the Spaniard in the Aston Martin: “The conditions were very difficult, to be honest,” commented Robert Shwartzman after the practice, who had taken part in other FP1 sessions between 2022 and 2023, but always with Ferrari. “It’s been almost a year since I last drove an F1 car. It was in Abu Dhabi with Ferrari. Even there, I felt a bit like I was saying, ‘Okay, I know the car is extremely fast, so the feeling is intense.’ I have to adapt quickly, and then we come to Zandvoort, which I think is one of the most challenging tracks for a driver. It wasn’t an easy run with the strong wind and rain, but honestly, from my past experience, I enjoy these conditions. It shows the true racing driver, the feeling of needing to immediately sense the grip, even if the conditions are very difficult, and to exploit it right away.”

The sensations
Robert Shwartzman also explained in detail the work done today, expressing satisfaction with the activity with the team: “I’m happy with today’s result,” he continued. “It was a very good day. I experienced different conditions, from full wets to intermediates. With the intermediates, it went very well; I felt good with the car, and we were very fast. In the end, we were a bit late in putting on the slick tires. When we went out, there was a lot of traffic, so it was very difficult to set a fast lap. Basically, I only had one last lap available where I tried to put everything together. Obviously, not knowing the braking points or anything else, it was difficult. I made some mistakes in a few corners and lost some time. I think if I had done another lap on the slicks, we could have set a great lap time, but overall, I’m very happy. I’m very grateful to Sauber for giving me the opportunity to drive. It’s the first time for the team and for me.”

Zandvoort, a surprise
The opportunity to get on track with Sauber at Zandvoort was a genuine surprise for Robert Shwartzman: “This year, I was mainly doing F1 simulation, and then I was focusing on my wet season,” he said. “Suddenly, I got a call saying, ‘You need to come to do FP.’ I have to be honest, there wasn’t much preparation because it was right before the summer break, and no one was working. I did only one day of simulation a month ago, but apart from that, there wasn’t any other preparation. Before the rain, we had a series of tests we wanted to try, but then with the rain, everything got compromised. The car had no issues, and overall, everything was consistent and under control. It’s up to the team to judge my work, and if they’re happy to continue, I’m more than happy to keep going together. Will there be another opportunity for me in Formula 1? I want to believe so.” – the Ferrari Driver Academy member.