As Ferrari completed the requirements for the young driver test, Shwartzman participated in a number of FP1 sessions for the team.
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Robert Shwartzman was introduced to Formula 1 near the end of the season when the Russian-Israeli driver opted to enter the sport using his Israeli passport to get around the sport’s ban on Russian drivers. As Ferrari completed the requirements for the young driver test, Shwartzman participated in a number of FP1 sessions for the team. Now that the 23-year-old has been named the team’s reserve driver for 2023, he has had another chance to show off his abilities. In preparation for the 2023 season, the Scuderia has been conducting a three-day private test at their exclusive racetrack in Fiorano with the car from the previous year.
According to reports, Shwartzman did well on his day behind the wheel, which was postponed until later in the morning because the team felt the track was too wet. The Israeli driver endured challenging conditions throughout the day as he completed 87 laps, or roughly 161 miles, on the first day of the three-day test.
“It was a bit more challenging because of the wet conditions of the track,” said Shwartzman after the test. “But still just a good experience, because I’ve never experienced driving an F1 car in the rain. Overall, I think it was a very positive test for me to learn new stuff, new things.”
The 23-year-old has stated that, despite enjoying the experience of participating in these tests for Ferrari, his long-term objective is to obtain a full-time racing seat in Formula 1. Given Ferrari’s connections to Haas and Alfa Romeo, it is clear that, should Shwartzman be able to garner a race seat, one of those two teams would be his most likely destination.
“The goal is still the same: to arrive to Formula One [in a race seat],” he said. “Obviously, I have a bit more job to do and a bit more learning, which is always good. I just try to learn as quickly as possible and improve everything I have to improve as quickly and as better as possible to be fully prepared for hopefully future next steps.”
If the McLaren Formula One team needs a replacement for Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, Michael Schumacher’s son Mick may be driving a McLaren this season. Ferrari great Michael’s fierce rivals at the Italian team during his prime, McLaren announced on Wednesday that they would have access to Mick’s services as part of a deal with engine supplier Mercedes. The 23-year-old German left Ferrari-powered Haas at the end of the previous season and joined Mercedes as a backup to seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton and George Russell.
“Welcome to the family, Mick,” McLaren said on Twitter. Last season, when Australian Piastri was Alpine’s third driver, McLaren and Alpine, which is owned by Renault, had a reserve-sharing agreement. Piastri will now race for McLaren this season after Alpine lost a contract dispute. Nyck de Vries, a Dutch driver, raced for Red Bull-owned AlphaTauri this season after serving as a reserve for both Mercedes and Williams last year.
