Fiorano test the best way possible to bid farewell to Ferrari - Giuliano Alesi

Ferrari

Fiorano test the best way possible to bid farewell to Ferrari - Alesi

Alesi will not be part of the Ferrari Driver Academy this year

Sam Hall

Tuesday 26 January 2021 11:00

Giuliano Alesi has revealed he is no longer a part of the Ferrari Driver Academy and will not return to Formula 2 this year.

After completing his first test in F1 machinery with his car adorned with the number 28, the number run by his father at Ferrari in 1991, Alesi confirmed his departure from the FDA as well as the relocation of his career to Asia.

"This test was the best way possible for me to bid farewell to Ferrari," said the 21-year-old. "Now a new adventure awaits me in Asia and I can’t wait for it to start."

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Alesi had been part of the FDA since 2016 and, with this backing, joined the GP3 grid in the same year with Trident.

The Frenchman spent three years in the category, winning four races, and gained promotion to F2 for the 2019 season.

In his first year, Alesi continued to race with Trident, finishing the year 15th on 20 points, but the improvement was evident in his performances across the year with the majority of his points coming in the final three weekends of the year - a run which saw him finish outside the top 10 just once from the six races.

Alesi, however, was unable to build on this last year. Moving to HWA, he finished the season-opening race sixth but, despite a mid-season move to MP Motorsports, would not register on the scoreboard again until the final race of the year, again finishing sixth.

Thanking Ferrari for the opportunity to test an F1 car before his departure from the setup, Alesi added: "I’d like to thank Ferrari and the FDA for this fantastic opportunity.

"To be able to get in the cockpit of the SF71H was incredibly exciting as was driving the car on track with my father watching and sporting the same race number he used.

"In terms of handling, the car is not too difficult to drive, but the power was surprising and never seems to end. The immediacy and efficiency of the braking is also impressive."