Ferrari Driver Academy
Ferrari Driver Academy is an initiative from Formula One team Scuderia Ferrari to promote young talent inside its own organisation, with several drivers being selected and funded by the team, being under long-term contracts.[1]
History
The idea of the concept came from Felipe Massa's grooming within the Ferrari organisation, with the Brazilian being loaned out to Sauber for three seasons whilst being under contract with Ferrari. Jules Bianchi became the first recruit to the scheme in December 2009, being followed by Mirko Bortolotti, Daniel Zampieri and Raffaele Marciello in March 2010.[2] In late 2010, Ferrari confirmed Sergio Pérez had been signed up to the scheme, the Mexican being set to be its first graduate to Formula One competition, having already signed for Ferrari-powered, Sauber, days before the announcement.[3][4] Pérez ceased being a member of the Academy after signing to McLaren in 2013. Bianchi also ceased being a member in July 2015 after succumbing to injuries he sustained at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix while racing for the Ferrari-powered Marussia team. Lance Stroll ceased being a member following his departure to Williams. Marciello ceased to be a member for personal reasons.
After rumours of the academy being disbanded, it was announced that the programme would be expanded with Massimo Rivola as its new head. On 23 June 2015, Fuoco had his first Formula One test with Ferrari during the 2-day post-Austrian Grand Prix test in Spielberg at the Red Bull Ring. In March 2016, it was announced that Charles Leclerc would be inducted into the Ferrari Driver Academy. In November of that year, Enzo Fittipaldi was among five drivers invited to join the Ferrari Driver Academy and was confirmed as a Ferrari Driver Academy member alongside Marcus Armstrong the following month. In late 2017 Ferrari added Callum Ilott, Robert Shwartzman and Gianluca Petecof to their line-up. Mick Schumacher, the son of multiple Formula One World champion Michael Schumacher was added to the lineup.
In September 2018, it was announced Leclerc would become the first academy member to graduate to Ferrari in 2019.[5]
Current drivers
| Driver | Joined Since | Current Series | Titles |
|---|---|---|---|
 Giuliano Alesi
|
2016 |
FIA Formula 2 Championship | none as Ferrari Driver Academy member |
 Marcus Armstrong
|
2017 |
FIA Formula 2 Championship | Italian F4 Championship |
 Enzo Fittipaldi
|
2017 | FIA Formula 3 Championship | Italian F4 Championship |
 Callum Ilott[6]
|
2017 | FIA Formula 2 Championship | none as Ferrari Driver Academy member |
 Robert Shwartzman[7]
|
2017 | FIA Formula 2 Championship | Toyota Racing Series FIA Formula 3 Championship |
| Gianluca Petecof[8]
|
2017 | Formula Regional European Championship | none as Ferrari Driver Academy member |
 Mick Schumacher
|
2019 | FIA Formula 2 Championship | none as Ferrari Driver Academy member |
 David Tonizza
|
2019 | F1 Esports | F1 Esports Series |
 Arthur Leclerc
|
2020 | Formula Regional European Championship | none as Ferrari Driver Academy member |
 Dino Beganovic
|
2020 | ADAC Formula 4 Italian F4 Championship |
none as Ferrari Driver Academy member |
| Enzo Bonito
|
2020 | F1 Esports | none as Ferrari Driver Academy member |
| Source:[9][10] | |||
Former drivers
- Championship titles highlighted in bold.
See also
Footnotes
References
- ^ Elizalde, Pablo (18 December 2009). "Ferrari sets up young driver academy". Autosport. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 7 March 2013.
- ^ Beer, Matt (6 March 2010). "Ferrari expands young driver academy". Autosport. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 7 March 2013.
- ^ Noble, Jonathan (8 October 2010). "Perez joins Ferrari young driver scheme". Autosport. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 7 March 2013.
- ^ "FDA testing at Fiorano: on track with Formula 3 today and F1 Thursday". Ferrari.com. 12 September 2011. Archived from the original on 23 March 2012. Retrieved 7 March 2013.
- ^ "Charles Leclerc to drive for Scuderia Ferrari in 2019". Scuderia Ferrari. 11 September 2018. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
- ^ "Ilott is first British driver to join FDA". pitpass.com. 19 October 2017. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
- ^ Wood, Elliot (24 October 2017). "Robert Shwartzman added to Ferrari Driver Academy". formulascout.com. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
- ^ "Ferrari adds Brazilian karter Gianluca Petecof to Driver Academy | Formula Scout". www.formulascout.com. Retrieved 5 December 2017.
- ^ Mitchell, Scott (19 January 2019). "Ferrari adds Schumacher to F1 junior programme". motorsport.com. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
- ^ "Arthur Leclerc and Dino Beganovic for the Scuderia's young driver programme". 17 January 2020. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
- ^ "Scuderia Ferrari: new from China". Ferrari.com. 9 June 2014. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 22 July 2014.
- ^ Costa, Massimo (25 November 2015). "ESCLUSIVO Leclerc nuovo pilota del Ferrari Driver Academy (EXCLUSIVE Leclerc new pilot of the Ferrari Driver Academy)". Italiaracing. Retrieved 26 November 2015.
