Ilott and Shwartzman join the Ferrari Driver Academy

With six drivers in its fold in 2017, Ferrari has one of the largest programs of young single-seater drivers. If the departure of Charles Leclerc around the Formula 1 seems almost certain, the Scuderia wishes to replenish its ranks by hiring two additional drivers.

The British Callum ilott represents the first addition to the program. One of the last pilots to take the big leap from karting to the F3 European in 2015 spent a year with the Red Bull Junior Team before being dismissed for lack of results. After a 2^e year in F3 with Van Amersfoort Racing and 2 victories, he is clearly aiming for the title with According to Powerteam but his irregularity saw him finish in 4^e place in the championship despite its 6 successes. His incorporation into the Ferrari Driver Academy could mean a move to Prema Racing in F2 after his stint at Silverstone with Trident.

A time in clear fight for the title in Formulas Renault 2.0 Eurocup with three victories in the first 5 races, Robert Schwartzman experienced a 2^e more difficult part of the season seeing him mark time against Sacha Fenestraz and his teammates R-Ace GP, Will Palmer and Max Defourny. Nevertheless, his consistency attracted the attention of Scuderia managers who decided to integrate the 18-year-old Russian into their young driver program.

His two additions bring to 8 the number of drivers currently in the fold of Ferrari, the largest number that the FDA has known since its creation in 2009. Among them, two drivers have been titled in their championships: namely Charles Leclerc in FIA Formula 2 and Marcus Armstrong in the Italian F4 championship.