Robert Shwartzman at the wheel of the Sauber in FP1 at Zandvoort

In accordance with the FIA regulation which requires the ten teams to replace at least once each regular driver with a rookie during a free practice session, Sauber has decided to entrust the wheel of Valtteri Bottas to Robert Shwartzman, reserve driver for Scuderia Ferrari, for the first free practice session this Friday. Bottas will then resume his seat for free practice 2.

This decision demonstrates the close ties still binding Sauber to Ferrari. The Italian team strives to provide opportunities for members of its young driver academy within its customer teams, such as Sauber, powered by Ferrari. Currently competing in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) in the Hypercar category with Ferrari, Shwartzman shares the Ferrari 499P of the AF Corse team with former F1 driver Robert Kubica and the young Chinese talent Ye Yifei.

« As in the past, we are collaborating with Scuderia Ferrari to offer opportunities to young talents during testing sessions,” the Hinwil team said soberly, which is still looking for a second driver to support the experienced Nico Hülkenberg.

It is important to note that this will not be a first in Formula 1 for Robert Shwartzman. The Russian driver, racing under an Israeli license, will live his fifth official F1 experience this weekend. He has already driven for Ferrari during free practice sessions in Austin and Abu Dhabi in 2022, as well as last year at the Zandvoort circuit, replacing Carlos Sainz. He also substituted for Charles Leclerc during the final round in Abu Dhabi.

This choice may come as a surprise, given that Shwartzman has not competed in single-seaters for two years, after finishing as Formula 2 runner-up in 2021 behind his teammate Oscar Piastri. Furthermore, Sauber has several talented drivers in its academy, such as Zane Maloney, who is currently fourth in the F2 championship and could have been considered for this opportunity, especially as the Formula 2 season only resumes the following weekend in Monza. Theo Pourchaire, also a member of the Sauber academy, would have met the criteria to take the wheel as well, as he has not yet participated in a free practice session in F1 this season.

However, Sauber, who will soon become Audi, chose not to offer this opportunity to its young drivers this weekend. This decision reinforces recent statements from Théo Pourchaire, who had expressed his feeling of being sidelined from the world of Formula 1 since his switch to IndyCar with McLaren.

However, all is not lost for the current Formula 2 champion. He should have a new opportunity to take the wheel of a Formula 1 car before the end of the season, as Sauber is still required to replace Guanyu Zhou during a free practice session.