F1 | Schumacher, Ilott and Shwartzman set for FP1 debut in 2020
Ferrari Driver Academy members Mick Schumacher and Callum Ilott will get their first FP1 runs at the Nürburgring during the Eifel Grand Prix. Former F3 champion Robert Shwartzman will debut later on in Abu Dhabi.
Mick Schumacher is currently leading the F2 Championship standings after another victory at the Russian Grand Prix.
Schumacher achieved great results during this 2020 season that impressed most of the viewers including the F1 managing director of motorsport Ross Brawn who said in his post-race column: “When you carry the mantle of the name Schumacher, it's not an easy gig,
“It can give you some benefits, but you're the subject of scrutiny the whole time. Mick has handled it amazingly well and in the latter part of this season, his second season in Formula 2, we have started to see him mature and develop extremely well as a racing driver.
“Russia was an excellent weekend for him and I'm full of optimism for his future.”
The current Prema driver will make his debut in F1 for Alfa Romeo, taking Antonio Giovinazzi’s seat during the first free practice at the Nürburgring.
Together with Schumacher, the UNI-Virtuosi driver, Callum Ilott will drive the VF-20 in the free practice session for Haas, but the F1 team has not decided yet which driver will be be replaced.
More on the news that @SchumacherMick, @callum_ilott and @ShwartzmanRob are all to make their F1 race weekend debuts in 2020
— Formula 1 (@F1) September 29, 2020
Schumacher and Ilott are up first - at next month's Eifel Grand Prix 🇩🇪#F1 #RoadToF1 https://t.co/Cf308B6C1U
Ilott is now sitting second overall to the championship leader and fellow Ferrari Driver Academy member Mick Schumacher with two round remaining.
“It’s a real privilege to get my first run in a free practice session, especially to do it with Haas F1 Team,” Ilott declared about his debut in F1.
“It’s amazing to have this chance at a track that is one of my favorites – it was where I scored the first podium of my career back in 2015. The Nürburgring means a lot to me and is a track with a real heritage, so it’s great that I’ll have my first outing at a Formula 1 race weekend there. Thanks to Haas F1 Team and to the Ferrari Driver Academy for giving me such a great opportunity. It should be really fun and exciting. I plan to make the most of it, I’m definitely looking forward to it.”
Guenther Steiner, Haas Team Principal, also stated: “Callum Ilott has clearly demonstrated this season why Ferrari hold him in such high regard. He’s demonstrated his outright pace and race craft throughout 2020 with four pole positions and three wins in what’s been undoubtedly another highly competitive season of F2 competition. We are happy to present him with the opportunity to drive a Formula 1 car at the Nürburgring.”
Robert Shwartzman will also run a first set of free practice in the F1 final race weekend of the season in Abu Dhabi, but it has not decided yet for which team.
All three drivers will test on the Ferrari test track in Fiorano, on Wednesday, with a 2018 SF71H car.
Laurent Mekies, Ferrari sporting director, who is in charge of the Ferrari Driver Academy, declared: “We wanted to organise this test session so that our three best youngsters would be as well prepared as possible to tackle an event that will always be a special moment for them.
“It will be a chance to get to grips with a Formula 1 car, which is much more complicated than the car they are currently used to driving.”
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