'Customer teams' important for young driver development - Binotto
'Customer teams' important for young driver development - Binotto
Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto has revealed his delight at being able to use 'customer teams' to develop the Scuderia's driver academy prospects at the top level.
F2 champion Mick Schumacher will drive for Haas in 2021, with Alfa Romeo continuing to run Antonio Giovinazzi for a third consecutive year alongside Kimi Raikkonen.
With Sebastian Vettel leaving for Aston Martin, Ferrari had the opportunity to place Schumacher immediately into one of its scarlet cars.
However, Binotto is of the opinion no driver can make the immediate step up from F2 to Ferrari and the team signed Carlos Sainz instead of the son of the team's most famous champion.
"I think when you move from the F2 and you jump into the F1, the very first year can not be directly a red car," he explained.
"That would be too much responsibility with not enough experience so it is [a relief] knowing that we have got customer teams that are partners which we may count [on] to continue developing our drivers in F1. [It] is an important element."
Binotto has hinted at an increased involvement with Haas given the migration of staff from Italy to the American team, although ruled out any notion of creating a 'junior team' set-up.
The Italian indicated Schumacher's placement at Haas will strengthen the ties between the two teams.
"Mick Schumacher will be one of the drivers for Haas next year," he said. "For us, it is a great opportunity, showing the strength of the collaboration we have got. Mick is part of our FDA.
"As I am saying, the FDA programme is not just there to develop drivers for F1, but it is there to develop drivers that one day might drive a Ferrari car."
Schumacher is contracted to Haas for two-years with team principal Guenther Steiner stating on numerous occasions 2021 is a "transitional year" before the introduction of drastically changed aerodynamic regulations in 2022.
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Marko defends Ricciardo in 'unbelievable' idiot claim
- 34 minutes ago
Hamilton hints at sensational Newey arrival at Ferrari
- 1 hour ago
Suspended Red Bull employee 'grilled' as Horner saga given potential END DATE
- 2 hours ago
BLOW for former F1 champion as Mercedes preferences revealed
- 3 hours ago
F1 boss HITS BACK at star driver over schedule complaints
- Today 17:58
F1 2025 Driver Lineup: Big names on the move as half the grid reshuffles for next season
- Today 17:00
Related news
Ferrari show off new-look drivers following HUGE announcement
Sky Sports F1 pundit dumbfounded by key Ferrari decision
F1 giants announce name change with IMMEDIATE effect
Ferrari announce HUGE F1 change to iconic red livery
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860