9 replies to this topic

[HistoryFan]

The last F1 rookie at Ferrari was Arturo Merzario in 1973. Ferrari always had the big stars in their seat. Always? Not always! There were some Ferrari Juniors in the past as Giancarlo Martini in the mid 70s (he was entered in a Scuderia Everest Ferrari at Non Championship races), there were also a lot of drivers who were entered in additional cars at Ferrari in the 50s and 60s.

 

In the last year there were Pérez, Bianchi and now Marciello as Ferrari Junior drivers.

 

What were the Ferrari Junior drivers in the past?

[john winfield]

The last F1 rookie at Ferrari was Arturo Merzario in 1973. Ferrari always had the big stars in their seat. Always? Not always! There were some Ferrari Juniors in the past as Giancarlo Martini in the mid 70s (he was entered in a Scuderia Everest Ferrari at Non Championship races), there were also a lot of drivers who were entered in additional cars at Ferrari in the 50s and 60s.

 

In the last year there were Pérez, Bianchi and now Marciello as Ferrari Junior drivers.

 

What were the Ferrari Junior drivers in the past?

Regazzoni and Giunti were, I think,  F1 rookies in 1970, and in 1977 Gilles Villeneuve had only that one British GP McLaren drive before signing for Maranello.

[Tim Murray]

I think you can add the likes of Derek Bell, Giancarlo Baghetti, Ludovico Scarfiotti, Ricardo Rodriguez and Jonathan Williams to the list.

[D28]

Things were quite different at Ferrari when they raced a full program and had a stable of drivers under contract, for the sports car races. Drivers could be promoted to the F1 squad for test drives, sometimes in a 3rd car. Ludovico Scarfiotti for example had already won Le Mans in 63 (with Bandini) when he debuted at the Dutch GP 1 week later. He did 2 more F1 races before winning at Monza in 1966,  still the last Italian to win there, 48 years on. Technically these were F1 rookies, but were quite experienced at endurance events. Mike Parkes would fit in this category debuting at the French GP 1966.

[HistoryFan]

Regazzoni and Giunti were, I think,  F1 rookies in 1970, and in 1977 Gilles Villeneuve had only that one British GP McLaren drive before signing for Maranello.

I do not search for rookies at Ferrari but for junior drivers like Pérez, Marciello and Bianchi

[BRG]

I do not search for rookies at Ferrari but for junior drivers like Pérez, Marciello and Bianchi

That's quite a modern phenomenon, called the Ferrari Academy.  Traditionally, Ferrari just called up anyone they wanted and most of them fell over themselves to take up the offer.  Ferrari never needed, and really even today still don't need any sort of junior programme.  And most of those on their Academy list are there for reasons other than their amazing potential.

[Stephen W]

You need to look to those drivers who were involved with Ferrari outside of F1 who then progressed to the GP Team. As already suggested there were many including the aforementioned Parkes, Scarfiotti and Giunti.

[uechtel]

I do not search for rookies at Ferrari but for junior drivers like Pérez, Marciello and Bianchi

 

Then how do you define the term "junior driver"? Would von Trips be a candidate? In former times drivers could start a career in Grand Prix racing even when they were already older than 20.

Edited by uechtel, 05 January 2015 - 10:54.

[D-Type]

Ferrari had a pool of drivers for sports car racing, F1 and F2.  They were not specifically described by Ferrari as  "Senior" and "Junior" drivers although in practice there was a ranking.  Drivers would be 'promoted' to the F1 team as the need arose due to injuries etc.  Despite performing well in sports car races, Phil Hill got frustrated at not being offered a single seater drive and raced a Centro Sud Maserati 250F at Reims in 1958.  He was thengiven F1 drives after the deaths of Musso and Collins and famously conceded a position to Mike hawthorn on two occasions. And three years later he was World Champion.

 

Or is this too early a period for you, H-F?

[D28]

Ferrari had a pool of drivers for sports car racing, F1 and F2.  They were not specifically described by Ferrari as  "Senior" and "Junior" drivers although in practice there was a ranking.  Drivers would be 'promoted' to the F1 team as the need arose due to injuries etc. 

Correct. The abrupt departure of John Surtees in 1966 resulted in promotions to F1 for Scarfiotti and Parkes. Ferrari was thus covered with contracted drivers, just not quite the the same quality.