Ferrari in no doubt academy trio "are F1 material"

Ferrari sporting director Laurent Mekies has no doubt the Scuderia's academy trio are ready to step up to Formula 1 next season.

Mick Schumacher, along with Formula 2 rivals Callum Ilott and Robert Shwartzman, are all vying for a place on the grid in 2021, with the former favourite to join Alfa Romeo.

As for Ilott and Shwartzman, they are in the running for a seat at Haas, although face stiff competition as the team has a lengthy list of drivers it is currently mulling over.

As to how much pressure Ferrari is exerting on Haas given it supplies the team with power units and other ancillary parts remains to be seen.

Assessing the situation, Mekies said: "When you have somebody fast, it is very easy to decide.

"I think we have very good relationships with our partners [Alfa Romeo and Haas] but the bottom line is, are the guys fast enough?

"That is what we are trying to make sure, that they can express their potential and develop to that extent. They just need to go fast and everybody will want them. That’s how it is.”

As to whether they are fast enough at present, Mekies added: "Yes, we think they are F1 material and that is why they are winning.

“Are they F1 material to Ferrari one day? It’s very much in how much they will develop.”

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