The Ferrari Driver Academy (FDA) is recognized as one of the best academies in the world of motorsports to help, train and prepare young drivers to take the step from category to category until they reach the pinnacle of motorsport, Formula 1. Today, January 25, 2021, three drivers from this academy were at the Fiorano circuit testing the 2018 Ferrari called SF71H. In this article we will review their different performances in the Italian car.

First of all, we have Robert Shwartzman who kept the first position in these days of tests. We have to remember that the Russian driver achieved a total of 4 victories in his debut season in Formula 2 at the hands of the Prema team. Shwartzman had already driven the same SF71H a few months ago, exactly on September 30, along with Callum Ilott and Mick Schumacher, the German drive will race for Haas team in the 2021 Formula 1 season.

“Driving a Ferrari Formula 1 car is always a privilege and I must admit that I was beginning to miss that feeling: today, along with the team, we worked on a programme aimed at improving my ability to provide feedback to the engineers and I hope I did a good job of doing what I was asked.” Robert Shwartzman commented regarding today’s test. “Now it’s time for me to focus on the Formula 2 championship with the Prema team, but I hope that I’ll get another opportunity to sit in a Ferrari again as soon as possible.”

RS back in Red ❤️

What a day it’s been for our #FDA guys 🤩@ShwartzmanRob pic.twitter.com/UrGleIpnrm

— FerrariDriverAcademy (@insideFDA) January 25, 2021

The test day was opened by Giuliano Alesi, however, the track was not in its best condition and both, Alesi and Marcus Armstrong could only drive the car for just over 12 laps around the Italian track. On the other hand, the track was improving and when it was Robert Shwartzman's turn to drive the SF71H, the Russian driver managed to complete around 50 laps on the Fiorano track, setting a best time of 57.7 seconds, this time was taken manually, while in his last test in September, his best time was 58.31. That is, there was an improvement of around 0.6 seconds. It should be noted that tomorrow, Tuesday, January 26, it will be Charles Leclerc's turn, while Carlos Sainz will drive in the same car on Wednesday 27.

“I’d like to thank Ferrari and the FDA for this fantastic opportunity today. To be able to get in the cockpit of the SF71H was incredibly exciting as was driving the car on track with my father watching and sporting the same race number he used.” Affirmed Giuliano Alesi. “This test was the best way possible for me to bid farewell to Ferrari. Now, a new adventure awaits me in Asia and I can’t wait for it to start.”

History repeating itself. 30 years after Jean, it’s now time for Giuliano #Alesi to get his first laps in a #Ferrari #F1 car 🤩 #FDA @ScuderiaFerrari pic.twitter.com/NqBka8tACb

— FerrariDriverAcademy (@insideFDA) January 25, 2021

“Obviously this was a special day in my life and it went exactly as I would have expected. That didn’t mean I enjoyed it any the less! Being at the wheel of a Formula 1 car for the first time is always something magical and when the car is a Ferrari, then it’s really unforgettable.” Marcus Armstrong affirmed. “I’d like to thank Ferrari and the FDA for making this day possible and I can’t wait to jump back in a Formula 1 car again in the future.”

𝗠𝗔𝟵 🇳🇿

It’s @MarcusArmstrng’s turn to take over the SF71-H this afternoon, his first time driving an #F1 car 💪

What a sight 📸#FDA @ScuderiaFerrari pic.twitter.com/fFFz2oejkM

— FerrariDriverAcademy (@insideFDA) January 25, 2021