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Sauber launches junior programme with four very young drivers

Sauber launches junior programme with four very young drivers

24-06-2020 14:08

GPblog.com

Every self-respecting Formula 1 team now has a junior programme in which it trains young drivers towards a seat in the highest class of motorsport. Sauber has been known for many years for letting young talents make their debut, and a junior programme of its own should now breathe new life into it.

At Sauber, which now runs the Alfa Romeo F1 team, many young talents have made their debut over the years, such as Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa. However, this was often accompanied by a deal with one of the engine manufacturers (usually Ferrari), as is now the case with Antonio Giovinazzi. So from now on they want to have the training of talents more in their own hands.

Reigning ADAC F4 champion Theo Pourchaire, Italian F4 driver Dexter Patterson - who used to be part of Sauber's Karting team - Formula Renault Eurocup racer Petr Ptacek and Emerson Fittipaldi Jr. have now joined the new programme.

Vasseur aims for the long term

In doing so, the team is clearly focused on the long term. With the exception of Fittipaldi, who owes his name to his father, all these guys are still relatively unknown and are really at the beginning of their motorsport career. Pourchaire is going to make his debut in Formula 3 this season and is therefore the most experienced of the couple.

Alfa Romeo team boss Frederic Vasseur is in any case very satisfied with this initiative. "Investing in young talent has always been a central part of Sauber Motorsport's racing philosophy. Our Academy is simply the latest project aimed at detecting stars of the future and guiding them through their careers, giving them the tools, the training and the resources necessary to succeed in the world of motor racing".