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 for the 2013 Formula One season. 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 F1 Team. Lance Stroll ceased being a member following his departure to Williams F1. 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.

Current drivers

Driver Years Current Series Titles
Italy Antonio Fuoco 2013– GP3 Series Formula Renault 2.0 Alps
China Guanyu Zhou[5] 2014– European Formula 3
Monaco Charles Leclerc[6] 2016– GP3 Series[7] GP3 Series
France Giuliano Alesi 2016– GP3 Series

Former drivers

Driver Years Series competed
France Jules Bianchi 2009–14 Formula 3 Euro Series (2009)
GP2 Series (2010–11)
Formula Renault 3.5 Series (2012)
Formula One (2013–14)
Italy Mirko Bortolotti 2010 GP3 Series (2010)
Italy Daniel Zampieri 2010 Formula Renault 3.5 Series (2010)
Mexico Sergio Pérez 2010–12 GP2 Series (2010)
Formula One (2011–present)
France Brandon Maïsano 2010–12 Formula Abarth (2010)
Italian Formula Three Championship (2011–2012)
Canada Lance Stroll 2010–2015 Kart (2010–2013)
Italian Formula 4 Championship (2014)
Toyota Racing Series (2015)
FIA European Formula 3 Championship (2015)
Italy Raffaele Marciello 2010–2015 Formula Abarth (2010)
Italian Formula Three Championship (2011)
Toyota Racing Series (2012)
Formula 3 Euro Series (2012)
FIA European Formula 3 Championship (2012–2013)
GP2 Series (2014–2015)

See also

References

  1. ↑ Elizalde, Pablo (December 18, 2009). "Ferrari sets up young driver academy". Autosport. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved March 7, 2013.
  2. ↑ Beer, Matt (March 6, 2010). "Ferrari expands young driver academy". Autosport. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved March 7, 2013.
  3. ↑ Noble, Jonathan (October 8, 2010). "Perez joins Ferrari young driver scheme". Autosport. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved March 7, 2013.
  4. ↑ "FDA testing at Fiorano: on track with Formula 3 today and F1 Thursday". Ferrari.com. September 12, 2011. Retrieved March 7, 2013.
  5. ↑ "Scuderia Ferrari: new from China". Ferrari.com. June 9, 2014. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
  6. ↑ Costa, Massimo (November 25, 2015). "ESCLUSIVO Leclerc nuovo pilota del Ferrari Driver Academy (EXCLUSIVE Leclerc new pilot of the Ferrari Driver Academy)". Italiaracing. Retrieved November 26, 2015.
  7. ↑ "De Vries joins 2016 GP3 field with ART". February 24, 2016. Retrieved February 24, 2016. We have Charles Leclerc, Alexander Albon [neither confirmed yet], Jake Hughes, Jack Aitken and Kevin Jorg lining up on the grid and Antonio Fuoco is staying for another season. All these guys are capable of winning races

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 11/27/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.