Shwartzman will drive SF-23 at Zandvoort: 'Something to be proud of'

This weekend, the Dutch Grand Prix will be held. The first weekend after the summer break, Ferrari reserve driver Robert Shwartzman will get behind the wheel of Carlos Sainz's car. At least, only during the first free practice session. The Russian-Israeli driver has been a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy since 2017.

In any case, the driver born in Israel seems ready for it himself. "It’s an honour to be chosen again by Scuderia Ferrari for the Formula 1 rookie Free Practice sessions and I am very excited to drive the SF-23 for the first time this week," said the enthusiastic Shwartzman on Twitter.

"Zandvoort is one of the most challenging tracks on the calendar, and I’ve only once driven it for real, before the layout was modified, so it will seem very new to me," Shwartzman told Ferrari's preview. "Although it’s quite complex, it’s also a very interesting track to drive so I expect to be able to enjoy myself a lot this coming Friday," he continued.

Vasseur previously indicated that Sainz could choose where and when to hand over the car to Shwartzman. For the Spaniard, the choice was easy. He chose Zandvoort. The free practice in which Shwartzman will compete can of course be followed at GPblog's liveblog.