F1 | Szafnauer on potential Aston Martin junior driver program: ''I think we should consider it for the future''
The head of the Aston Martin F1 team didn’t rule out a future junior driver program for the team.
These programs have to proven to be extremely successful for those four teams with the likes of Max Verstappen, George Russell, Charles Leclerc, Mick Schumacher and Lando Norris all entering the F1 grid in recent years.
During the Russian Grand Prix weekend where MotorLat was present, the Aston Martin team principal was asked if the Silverstone-based team would think about establishing one of their own.
"That's a good question," he said.
"There's a lot to do here to grow into a championship-winning team, and a lot of the bigger teams have those programs underneath them.
"We haven't really given it much thought but I think in the future we should look at that as part of our entire capability.
"You've got to start early. I'm sure the competition for the best drivers, the best karters will be high with everyone else who has got young driver programs in place already.
"So the option is to start young, try to hire them early, either that or make it so attractive to them when they're ready to come into Formula 1 that they come knocking on your door anyway.
"So that's the two routes and so far we haven't entertained having one but I think we should consider it for the future.
"I don't know what's best right now."
Next year looks set to see rookies get the opportunity during FP1 sessions to bag some mileage, which will be a mandatory requirement for all teams. Szafnauer doesn’t seem too concerned about it at the moment, however.
"Yeah, for next year, if that's where we go with it, I'm sure we'll find some appropriate drivers," he concluded.
