Giuliano Alesi concluded his time as a member of Ferrari Academy as one of three drivers to run on the opening day of a week long test.
Alesi is departing the academy to undertake a new race programme in Asia and concluded his time by getting behind Ferrari’s 2018 car at Fiorano Circuit, albeit conducting his opening run cautiously in damp conditions before improving his pace once switched to slick tyres.
Alesi’s father and ex Ferrari driver, Jean was also present as his son sported his father’s iconic 28 number like Jean did when driving for the Scuderia in 1991.
Speaking afterwards on his experience in a Ferrari F1 car, Giuliano said; “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.”
Giuliano went on to describe the car as “not too difficult to driver, but the power was surprising and never seems to end.”
He then concluded that participating in this way was the ideal way to say goodbye to the Prancing Horse environment as he looks to the future, saying; “This test was the best way possible for me to bid farewell to Ferrari. Now a new adventure awaits me in Asia and I can’t wait for it to start.”
Marcus Armstrong celebrated his confirmation as a DAMS driver for 2021 F2 season by getting a run out in a Ferrari F1 car for the first time, opting to run with the number nine during his stint in the car.
Armstrong post-session described this Ferrari test drive as “a special day in my life” and “magical”, although he was mightily impressed with the various aspects of the SF71H.
Speaking on how he found everything from braking to downforce and more, Armstrong said; “People always say it’s the braking that is the most impressive aspect and that was the case, but also the aerodynamic downforce, the speed in the corners, the steering, the power and the perfect gear changes are all on a different planet compared to the other racing categories.”
Having first tasted this F1 car in late September before driving the 2020 car in post-season testing for Ferrari, Robert Shwartzman was the third and last driver to run on the opening day as he undertook an extensive programme sporting the number 35 on his car.
Reflecting on the “privilege” of driving a Ferrari F1 car again as he prepares for another F2 season with PREMA, Shwartzman revealed that his programme was built around improving his technical feedback ability to engineers.
Shwartzman also added that this was the ideal way for him to get back behind the wheel after the festive break, saying; “As for myself, this was the best possible way to get back to driving in the new year. I soon felt comfortable in the car and with the team as it’s not even been a month since the last time and the feeling was good for all the laps I did.
Ferrari also commented that this week-long test is important for engineers and mechanics as they adapt to being back in an F1 environment after the Xmas break, especially with precautionary measures still in place as Charles Leclerc takes the wheel tomorrow.
Carlos Sainz will get his chance on Wednesday and Thursday morning before Mick Schumacher takes over on Thursday afternoon and Friday morning, with Callum Ilott getting his opportunity on Friday afternoon.
Leave a Reply