Ferrari test driver Robert Shwartzman is thrilled by the “great honour” of having the opportunity to get behind the wheel of the F1-75 car tomorrow at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA). The Russo-Israeli racing driver who currently serves as a development driver for the Maranello team, will take part in the first free practice session for the 2022 Formula 1 United States Grand Prix and will replace Charles Leclerc.
The regulation for the 2022 F1 campaign state that all teams have to give rookies a chance in their cars during at least two free practice sessions this season. Drivers eligible for such outings are the ones classified as someone with “two or fewer grands prix under their belt”.
Robert Shwartzman will therefore be the first driver in 46 years since Scuderia Ferrari has ran more than two drivers on a Grand Prix weekend: back then, Carlos Reutemann was ran during the weekend of Niki Lauda’s comeback at the 1976 Italian Grand Prix in Monza.
“Debuting in an official Formula 1 session with Scuderia Ferrari is first of all a great honour and to be the first driver to have this opportunity after so many years makes what I will do on Friday really special. I am obviously thrilled but at the same time I am also very keen to drive this car for the first time and see how close the work we’ve been doing in the simulator is to reality” – Robert Shwartzman explained, ahead of the United States Grand Prix weekend.
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Before Russia invaded Ukraine in a major escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War in February, Robert Shwartzman was running using a Russian licence. After the restrictions imposed by many sporting federations worldwide, the FIA decided not to allow Russian athletes to take part in championships which they organize.
Despite the fact that the restrictions do not directly affect the Ferrari test driver given he was born in Tel Aviv, Isreal and therefore has the possibility of competing under an Israeli licence, Friday’s free practice session in Austin is the first time he will be taking part in a race weekend since the Formula 2 season finale, which was held last year in December.
“2022 has been a very different year for me as it was planned that I would not race in any championships. Instead, I am working full-time for the Scuderia, doing a lot of work in the simulator and I am very happy to have been part of this year’s team effort. The experience I have gained this year has taught me a lot, and helped me become a more complete racing driver.” – Robert Shwartzman concluded, ahead of the United States Grand Prix weekend at COTA.
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