Ferrari has a seat at Haas, which is currently used by Mick Schumacher, but the contract that guaranteed a slot at Alfa Romeo – which was used by Charles Leclerc in 2018 and later by Antonio Giovinazzi – has been changed for 2022.
While Alfa boss Fred Vasseur hasn’t ruled out keeping Giovinazzi, he’s looking for other options to fill the seat next to Bottas – and with no other available drives, Giovinazzi wouldn’t be in place for 2021 if he were deposed .
At a time when Red Bull was able to place Alex Albon at Williams and Esteban Ocon, supported by Mercedes, drives for Alpine, Ferrari has lost in an attempt to define the career paths of its youngsters.
Callum Ilott, who served as a reserve driver alongside Robert Kubica this year, has already started pursuing an alternative route with IndyCar.
There’s no obvious way forward for Robert Shwartzman, who is currently third in the F2 Championship in his second season in the category. Marcus Armstrong, who is only 14th, is further from an F1 shot.
On a positive note, in the next year all teams will be required to provide young drivers with some FP1 runs on race weekends according to a proposed new rule.
“Of course it’s a shame that there are obviously very few seats in Formula 1,” said Binotto when asked about the future of Ferrari’s youngsters from Motorsport.com.
Robert Shwartzman, Prema Racing
Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
“And there aren’t many alternatives. I think a driver is really very strong, he always somehow finds a chance, but it’s something we have to help with, introducing rookies into F1.
“As Ferrari, of course, we try to encourage young drivers, we have our own Ferrari Driver Academy, we give them as many opportunities as possible to drive an F1 car.
“So it’s kind of important to create opportunities in F1. That’s why the discussion with F1 and the FIA is important.
“Between teams, F1, FIA, we are constantly discussing how we can help them with additional sessions, additional tests and participation in some race weekends.
“It is certainly an important discussion that we have to have. And finally, because we definitely have to encourage the young drivers in our cars.”
Regarding Shwartzman’s prospects, he said, “I think we have to finish the championship first and focus on it. It has not been an easy season for him so far.
“But he’s very focused and he’s trying to get a good result so we’re not going to distract him from the performance and we’re going to keep him focused and encourage him to be the best he can from now until the end of the season.
