Alfa Romeo still keeping an eye on talents from Ferrari

It was the understanding in recent years that Ferrari could appoint one of Alfa Romeo's drivers, as part of the engine deal between the two teams. It was a major reason that Antonio Giovinazzi appeared at the start for Alfa Romeo, but next season Ferrari will no longer have a driver based at the team.

With Valtteri Bottas and Guanyu Zhou, Alfa Romeo choose their entire driver line-up for the first time since 2018. But, this does not mean an end to the collaboration with Ferrari, or that no more talents will get the chance to put miles behind the wheel of the Alfa Romeo.

To Motorsport.com, team boss Frederic Vasseur assured that all options are open in the future. On a case-by-case basis, it will be decided whether a Ferrari talent will be allowed to take a seat in the cockpit. A binding agreement that stipulates that Ferrari can always say who drives, is in any case off the table. According to Vasseur, this has been decided by both parties.

No doubt drivers from the Ferrari academy will be in action for Alfa Romeo next season, although in principle this will only be during tests and free practice. Last season Callum Ilott was the reserve and test driver, and this season Robert Shwartzman may well have a chance. The Russian is Ferrari's official test driver.