Ferrari concerned about juniors: "It's certainly a shame"

Ferrari talent Mick Schumacher found a place this season at Haas, where the young German will also drive in 2022, and Antonio Giovinazzi has been at Alfa Romeo for some time. For many other Ferrari talents, however, the road to Formula 1 has been less smooth. According to team boss Mattia Binotto there is simply too little room.

Lack of seats a shame

Robert Shwartzman and Marcus Armstrong are two Ferrari talents in Formula 2. Callum Ilott, currently a reserve driver at Alfa Romeo, has already made a move to IndyCar. Whether there will be a place in Formula 1 for these drivers from the Ferrari Driver Academy in the near future is very much open to question, something Binotto is not at all happy about.

"It's certainly a shame that there are so few opportunities for seats in F1," the Italian told Autosport.com. "And there are not many alternatives." He does think, however, that the really very strong drivers will always find their way into Formula One. "It's something we do need to help with, the introduction of rookies into F1."

Rookies in free practice

From next season, teams will be obliged to give rookies a chance during a number of free practice sessions on Friday. Binotto welcomes this rule. "It is important to create opportunities in Formula 1 for young drivers. That's why the discussion with F1 and the FIA is important. Between the teams, F1 and the FIA there is always discussion about how we can help young drivers through extra sessions, extra tests, participation in some race weekends."

Opportunities for Shwartzman?

Ferrari talent Shwartzman is one of the main contenders for a move to Formula One. The Russian is in his second Formula 2 season third in the championship. However, Binotto does not want to make any commitments just yet. "I think we need to finish the championship first and continue to focus on that. It hasn't been an easy season for him so far. He's very focused, so we won't distract him from the performance. We will encourage him to do as well as he can from now until the end of the season."