Robert Shwartzman will make his official debut in F1 with Ferrari in Austin

The rookies are definitely not done making headlines during this three-week break between the Italian Grand Prix and the one in Singapore. Now it’s the turn of the Russo-Israeli Robert Shwartzman, a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy since 2017. The driver, who celebrates his 23rd birthday on September 16th, will take part in the first free practice session in Austin, during the United States Grand Prix.

Let’s recall that this year the teams are obliged to have a driver who has participated in two Grand Prix or fewer take part in at least two FP1 sessions. The Scuderia has naturally turned to Robert Shwartzman, who has already had successful testing experiences with the team in the past, notably at Fiorano and Mugello.

The moment you’ve all been waiting for 👀@ShwartzmanRob is set to participate in his first #FP1 session at the #USGP 🇺🇸#essereFerrari 🔴 pic.twitter.com/ObzcX9DwWY

— Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) September 15, 2022

Last weekend, after the race in Monza, Mattia Binotto mentioned two free practice sessions for the rookie: “Robert will have two free practice sessions by the end of the season. Maybe I’m wrong, but I think it’s Austin and Abu Dhabi, but let me check and confirm.” Now we will have to see if he will also take part in the tests during the last race of the season at Yas Marina.

« It’s shameful not to have a seat »

The boss of Ferrari has not been short of praise for the young driver: “Every time he has driven an F1 car, he has been very fast. There are drivers who may be excellent in F3, F2, but are not good enough in F1. I think Robert is the opposite. He has been excellent in F3 and F2, but he is very, very strong in F1. And therefore, it is a shame for him not to have a seat at the moment.” This season, he has worked a lot on the simulator. He has worked a lot to help our team develop the current car.

Mattia Binotto hopes that the person who finished second in the FIA Formula 2 Championship last year will eventually find their place in the premier category. Even though it seems rather blocked at Ferrari in the coming years, with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz well established. They could eventually turn to Alfa Romeo or Haas.

As a pilot, he has improved, he has developed his own skills and today, he is much more mature, even compared to last year. And so, he is a driver who deserves a spot. We know that it is very difficult at the moment in this situation, but I hope that in the future, it will be possible, concluded the boss of Scuderia Ferrari.

Note that Robert Shwartzman has already driven in F1 with Ferrari, but never behind the wheel of the 2022 F1-75.