Ferrari facing "very difficult" dilemma over Schumacher and Ilott

Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto has suggested Mick Schumacher and Callum Ilott may now have to wait until the season finale in Abu Dhabi to make their Formula 1 debuts.

Both drivers were set to make their maiden F1 runs in first practice for the Eifel Grand Prix at the Nürburgring, only for fog to lead to the abandonment of the session. Ilott was due to drive for Haas, and Schumacher with Alfa Romeo.

With six races remaining after this weekend, Binotto now faces a major dilemma as to when the Ferrari academy duo could take part in another FP1 session due to the nature of the upcoming circuits and their own F2 title fight that concludes in Bahrain.

"Mick and Callum, obviously a shame for them," said the Ferrari boss on the pair who sit first and second in the F2 standings.

"It would have been a great opportunity here to make their debuts in F1. Obviously, we will try to rearrange in the next races, but it will be very difficult.

"The next one, Portimão, a new circuit for everyone, so our top drivers will need somehow to practice as well. Then we've got Imola, which is only a Saturday and Sunday and then to Turkey, a new circuit.

"So then it's Bahrain where they've got their F2 races, and for the championship on which they need to be focused. So very likely the next opportunity will be Abu Dhabi and not earlier. It's a missed opportunity, but no choice."

The latter outcome potentially causes a problem for Ferrari as another academy driver in Robert Shwartzman is to make his F1 debut in first practice for Alfa Romeo.

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