Binotto: 'Important that we have customer teams we can count on'

In the upcoming Formula 1 season, Mick Schumacher will make his debut at the Haas team. Since they are a customer team of Ferrari, he could be prepared there for an eventual switch to the Italian team.

The 21-year-old driver was recently allowed to participate in a test by Ferrari, in which he piloted the 2018 SF71H.

He is therefore closely followed by Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto. "Mick Schumacher will be one of the drivers at Haas this year. This is a great opportunity for us, and a sign of our strong partnership," Binotto said in a conversation with Formula1.com.

Customer teams develop drivers for Ferrari

"Mick is part of our Ferrari Driver Academy. The FDA is not there to develop drivers for Formula 1, but to develop drivers who might one day drive for Ferrari.

"If you make the switch from Formula 2 to Formula 1, you can't get into the red car right away. That requires too much responsibility and experience. So it's important that we have customer teams and partners we can count on to further develop our drivers in Formula 1."