Ferrari announce new Driver Academy line-up

Ferrari

Ferrari announce new Driver Academy line-up

Marcus Armstrong has left; Callum Ilott is on 'a gap year'

Ian Parkes

Tuesday 11 January 2022 16:36 Updated: 17:06

Ferrari has confirmed its 2022 Driver Academy line-up as it continues its push to steer rising talent into F1.

The Scuderia is again proudly able to boast that 20 per cent of this year's grid is comprised of FDA products in Charles Leclerc, Mick Schumacher, Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll.

Now in its 13th year, the Academy for this season has nine members, spearheaded by Haas driver Schumacher who takes on the added responsibility of being reserve for Ferrari at 11 grands prix this year.

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Schumacher and Robert Shwartzman, the former F2 racer who this year serves as test driver, were absent from the Academy's opening day return.

The additional seven members comprise Arthur Leclerc and Oliver Bearman in F3; Dino Begovic in Formula Regional, while Maya Weug, James Wharton and Rafael Camara will compete in Formula 4.

Laura Camps Torras, who won the second edition of the FIA Girls on Track-Rising Stars programme, will race karts before eventually progressing on to Formula 4.

Torras is one of three new recruits, alongside Bearman and Camara who were both chosen at the second FDA Scouting World Finals.

Marcus Armstrong, who finished 13th in each of his two seasons in F2, has left the FDA, while Callum Ilott is on what has been described as 'a gap year'.

Ilott is racing in Indycar this season which the FDA claims 'falls outside its workable scope' "as it would not be able to offer adequate support to the Englishman".

Commenting on the new FDA line-up, Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto said: "The 2022 Ferrari Driver Academy intake starts its journey today.

"It’s always a significant day for the girls and boys involved and also for Scuderia Ferrari because this programme is an important part of what #essereFerrari means.

"The FDA’s role is not simply to get the best out of the most talented youngsters and lead them to race our cars in Formula 1, it is also about forming people and drivers who are able to make the most of the values that Scuderia Ferrari represents.

"This year, seven young men and two young women will work towards their ultimate goal of racing in Formula 1.

"In 2022, 20% of the F1 grid is made up of past and present FDA students. The dream for them and for us is to do the same as Charles Leclerc, who is about to start his fourth season racing for the Scuderia.

"I wish each and every one of them the best of luck as they progress through the season, which I am sure they will tackle with the will to learn and above all with a smile because being a racing driver is one of the best jobs in the world."