47 replies to this topic

[Risil]

Ferrari have put out a press release saying that three of their Academy members -- F2 drivers Callum Ilott, Mick Schumacher and Robert Shwartzman -- will be having a run-out in various satellite F1 teams at the Eifel and Abu Dhabi GPs. The three of them have already had the seat fittings last weekend at Sochi and are going to take a 2018-spec Ferrari for a spin at Fiorano tomorrow. Not the first time Ilott and Schumacher have been behind the wheel of a Formula One car, although Shwartzman is an absolute beginner.
 
A shootout for one or more of the remaining seats at Alfa and Haas? Ferrari are certainly hinting at it, with these words from the Scuderia's Sporting Director Laurent Mekies
 

"We wanted to organise this test session so that our three best youngsters would be as well prepared as possible to tackle an event that will always be a special moment for them. It will be a chance to get to grips with a Formula 1 car, which is much more complicated than the car they are currently used to driving.

I would like to thank Haas and Alfa Romeo Racing for offering Callum, Mick and Robert this opportunity. We believe strongly in our Academy, which has already proved its value, with Charles Leclerc, a driver on which the Scuderia can build its long term future.

Callum, Mick and Robert have already proved their worth in the current Formula 2 season and this test is a further step in their education."

 

These young driver tests are always interesting so I thought it's worth having a thread to follow along.

 

https://www.ferrari....x-weekend-debut

[Marklar]

Which of these should drive for Ferrari in 3 years' time?

Theo Pourchaire, he is a Alfa junior, so it's basically the same 

Will be Mick though, either on merit or for marketing. He will most likely be good enough to be a good support driver for Leclerc, so you can easily justify it in the latter case.

I dont see a sustainable F1 career for Illot, let alone at Ferrari. No major backer beyond Ferrari, and they will possibly have more young drivers coming through that will overtake him in the pecking order. He also is not particulary talented either. But maybe he gets one season and if he is impressing maybe he can stick around as a good midfielder.

I see Shwartzman as the most talented of the three, you have to consider that it's his rookie season, but I dont expect him to make it to Ferrari, but certainly he will land in F1, if not on pure talent, then on sponsorship.

Edited by Marklar, 29 September 2020 - 14:44.

[Lights]

Answering this poll honestly is a bit early at this point. F2 is one thing, but how they do in F1 is another.

 

They can each end up performing like Leclerc or like Giovinazzi.

 

So who should drive for Ferrari in 3 years time? The one that does the best job with the opportunity he receives in F1, be that at Alfa or at Haas.

 

[NixxxoN]

Probably for Kimi's replacement at Alfa

[Spillage]

I would't be surprised to see both Schumacher annd Ilott on the grid next year, at Alfa and Haas respectively. I think Schwartzmann would benefit from another year in F2 and to be honest so would Ilott if he doesn't win the title.

 

Who should driver for Ferrari in 3 years' time? I have no idea RIght now I'd say none of them, they need to prove themselves in F1 first.

[Marklar]

oh god, I was just watching the French Open on Eurosport here in Germany. And the commentary went all of a sudden like "Huge Breaking News from Formula 1 - Mick Schumacher confirmed that he will give his F1 debut at the Nurburging, what a fantastic news. Click on Eurosport.de to find out more about it" (paraphrasing here). This is the worst clickbait I've ever seen 

[Risil]

I think of Mick Schumacher like I think of the Andrettis: there aren't many people connected to F1 who will make the news simply by being there and Mick is one of them. Too early to say if he'll be a Michael or a Marco but Grand Prix racing needs a shot in the arm in pure celebrity terms, doesn't it?

[Grayson]

This is an absolutely fascinating three way battle!

 

- Schumacher has made some amazing starts off the grid and is definitely getting better (I thought he was bizarrely overrated towards the start of the season) but he's still got a tendency to underperform in qualifying and sometimes goes a bit missing in the races

 

- Ilot has been more impressive than the other two in terms of outright pace but has had some high profile mistakes. I remember one race earlier this season where he absolutely had the pace and the tyres to win but seemed to make about 10 mistakes in 5 laps in his attempt to get past some slower drivers

 

- Shwartzman has't been quite as good as the other two from Silvertsone onwards, but he's been pretty close to them and he's a rookie. Looking at previous drivers who've come into F1 after a year or two in F2 or GP2, that rookie status might be more important than anything else

 

Each of them is good enough to deserve a spot in the second Alfa, but none of them has been so good that you'd expect to see them in the Ferrari in three years. I'd say that Shwartzman looks the most likely to be in a Ferrari in five years, but only just!

 

(None of this is taking Mick's last name into account - that on its own will get him a seat in Alfa/Haas next year and first refusal on an empty Ferrari seat regardless of merit)

[Vesuvius]

Likely Mick will get a seat.Ilot could also get one,if he wins F2 title,as champion can't continue in that serie.

Edited by Vesuvius, 29 September 2020 - 15:58.

[BRG]

oh god, I was just watching the French Open on Eurosport here in Germany. And the commentary went all of a sudden like "Huge Breaking News from Formula 1 - Mick Schumacher confirmed that he will give his F1 debut at the Nurburging, what a fantastic news. Click on Eurosport.de to find out more about it" (paraphrasing here). This is the worst clickbait I've ever seen 

On the BBC radio news at 4pm as well. 

[drpfeffer]

Will be interesting to see the F2 leaders in FP1 tomorrow.. personally I think that Mick is he only one of the 3 Ferrari juniors that have what it takes to make the move to F1.. Both Illot and Schwartzman have been very unimpressive for quite some time while Mick has just seem to get better and better.

 

Lundgaard in his rookie season have been more impressive this season, surely he will be on top of the table next year!

[pacificquay]

Illot "very unimpressive"? He's 2nd in the championship!

 

Of course only 1 vote for him in the poll thanks to this forum's usual anti-British bias

[jonpollak]

Yea... drivers I’m interested in !!!!
Jp

[Retrofly]

Illot "very unimpressive"? He's 2nd in the championship!

 

Of course only 1 vote for him in the poll thanks to this forum's usual anti-British bias

I thought this forum was pro-british Bias??

 

Im British, I voted Mick.

[jonpollak]

I’m American so naturally I voted for the Russian.
Jp

[as65p]

I watched more F2 than ever before this season, but TBH none of the candidates in question shows to be of the true steel, IMO. Schumacher is the most interesting for obvious reasons, but I doubt any of the three will trouble the the likes of Verstappen, Leclerc, etc. during the next decade.

[Myrvold]

Is there some British Bias at work again? I'm not that impressed by Illot despite his standings. https://en.wikipedia...ionship#Drivers'_championship

Of course only 1 vote for him in the poll thanks to this forum's usual anti-British bias

Lol.

 

Maybe it's no bias but just peoples opinion...

[jjcale]

Its a waste sending the kids out in these conditions - nothing will be learned .... postpone to another more sensible time. 

[GTA]

I think if Mick doesn't crash into Leclerc in practice he is already in at Alfa alongside Kimi. 

 

Robert is really good but with the tyre changes in GP2 I would rate his rookie season with a pinch of salt .Definitely worth a punt for a team like Haas. 

 

Not really sure about Illott. Pace is undoubtedly there but he makes far too many mistakes. I don't see him in F1 unless he beats Mick to the championship. 

[Disgrace]

I don't think Ilott has demonstrated with his season that he's top-tier material. Performances like Spain where he blundered the win - one of several this year - really stick out where a better driver would have shined.

[jonpollak]

Talk of moving this to Abu Dhabi...?
We will find out in 30 mins.

Jp

[PlatenGlass]

Fogged out then. https://www.bbc.co.u...rmula1/54478369

[thegamer23]

So disappointing...was looking forward to see the guys on track.

 

Will it be re-scheduled for another round?

Maybe Portimao or Turkey or Bahrain (not Imola, given it's only one FP)

Edited by thegamer23, 09 October 2020 - 10:41.

[Atreiu]

Bummer.

[noikeee]

Great success, neither Mick or Callum crashed the car!

[maximilian]

Typical F1, the ONE interesting thing that was going to happen this week never comes to be.  Thanks for all the hype.

[Rinehart]

Given the weather, suspect Mick and Callum quite pleased about that...

[IndianF1]

I watched more F2 than ever before this season, but TBH none of the candidates in question shows to be of the true steel, IMO. Schumacher is the most interesting for obvious reasons, but I doubt any of the three will trouble the the likes of Verstappen, Leclerc, etc. during the next decade.

Yeah about that, none would ever say Michael Schumacher would be such a dominant figure in the sport looking at his rise through the championships. Mika looked like he had more pace than Schumacher. So I dunno. You just got to wait and watch.  I'm just puzzled with how young Mick's seems sudden rise in performance in F3 and F2.  Either he is some real superstar material or maybe it is the marketing forces of the sport that are helping him with that impressive trajectory. 

[jonpollak]

Or it’s genetic.
Jp

[ThadGreen]

Do you think that F1 wants Mick in F1 so they can be like NASCAR and have a Jr in the series?

[Yoshi]

So disappointing...was looking forward to see the guys on track.

 

Will it be re-scheduled for another round?

Maybe Portimao or Turkey or Bahrain (not Imola, given it's only one FP)

 

Based on Binotto probably next try will be Bahrain.  

[Bloggsworth]

That went well...

[BRG]

Or it’s genetic.
Jp

You mean he takes after his Mum?

 

Do you think that F1 wants Mick in F1 so they can be like NASCAR and have a Jr in the series?

Surely not, we all know that getting into F1 is entirely about ability and having a famous name or a huge amount of money counts for nothing'  That's why Mick's apotheosis has been inevitable for the last several years.

[jimjimjeroo]

Well at least the tyres are good as new, best tyre management on the grid

[KWSN - DSM]

You mean he takes after his Mum?

 

Surely not, we all know that getting into F1 is entirely about ability and having a famous name or a huge amount of money counts for nothing'  That's why Mick's apotheosis has been inevitable for the last several years.

 

That and winning races and Championships... I have not see anyone complaining that Verstappen son of a former F1 driver made it to F1 without winning Championships outside Kartng.... could there to an extent be double standards at play.

 

Magnussen at least competed and won before F1.

Edited by KWSN - DSM, 09 October 2020 - 16:53.

[Massa_f1]

Based on Binotto probably next try will be Bahrain.  

 

He seemed to suggest that would not be the best thing to do  with F2 title decider same weekend.

[fifi]

Based on Binotto probably next try will be Bahrain.  

problem with bahrain is the F2 races, he also said that as well as sbu dhabi is the likely chance

[FirstnameLastname]

Identical laptimes, how very 1997

[PlayboyRacer]

Mika looked like he had more pace than Schumacher.

He did?

[PayasYouRace]

Do you think that F1 wants Mick in F1 so they can be like NASCAR and have a Jr in the series?

 

Between Damon, Jacques, Christian, Micheal A, Nico, Kasuki, Nelsinho, Gary and David, Jolyan, Markus, Kevin, and Max, I think F1 has had that covered quite nicely for a long time.

[FLB]

Between Damon, Jacques, Christian, Micheal A, Nico, Kasuki, Nelsinho, Gary and David, Jolyan, Markus, Kevin, and Max, I think F1 has had that covered quite nicely for a long time.

There may even be a Lorenzo in a couple of years (which I'd love considering his padre was my favourite driver when he was racing) :

 

https://www.automobi...onelli,news.htm

[noikeee]

Even just looking at F2 and F3 right now. There's Alesi Jr, Piquet Jr 2, Deletraz Jr, Lundgaard Jr (I very much remember watching his dad rallying), Nannini Jr, Doohan the 4 wheels version Jr, Mick's cousin aka Ralf Jr...

Oh and Leclerc's brother will soon be there too.

Honestly we're already at a point where 80% of all drivers are either family of some other driver that came in before, and/or are millionaires.

Edited by noikeee, 09 October 2020 - 23:34.

[ARTGP]

Given the weather, suspect Mick and Callum quite pleased about that...

 

Well they could have ended up at the top of the timesheets because of it. Which is certainly memorable. 

[jjcale]

Even just looking at F2 and F3 right now. There's Alesi Jr, Piquet Jr 2, Deletraz Jr, Lundgaard Jr (I very much remember watching his dad rallying), Nannini Jr, Doohan the 4 wheels version Jr, Mick's cousin aka Ralf Jr...

Oh and Leclerc's brother will soon be there too.

Honestly we're already at a point where 80% of all drivers are either family of some other driver that came in before, and/or are millionaires.

 

We race as one .... one family

[B38]

Lol.

 

Maybe it's no bias but just peoples opinion...

But if that opinion does not suit my opinion, than it must be bias, right?!

Edited by B38, 10 October 2020 - 09:42.

[Timantti]

Even just looking at F2 and F3 right now. There's Alesi Jr, Piquet Jr 2, Deletraz Jr, Lundgaard Jr (I very much remember watching his dad rallying), Nannini Jr, Doohan the 4 wheels version Jr, Mick's cousin aka Ralf Jr...

Oh and Leclerc's brother will soon be there too.

Honestly we're already at a point where 80% of all drivers are either family of some other driver that came in before, and/or are millionaires.

 

Just tells how marginal the competition level is in this sport. 

[IndianF1]

He did?

Mika should have been the championship winner for in F3. He was definitely faster, dunno if it was the car or him, but he would have been the winner had he not gone for the pass on Schumacher.

[PlayboyRacer]

Mika should have been the championship winner for in F3. He was definitely faster, dunno if it was the car or him, but he would have been the winner had he not gone for the pass on Schumacher.

Ok that's F3 and you're partly right. But I know who looked instantly better the moment they each stepped into F1.