Ferrari have concluded their week-long private test at Fiorano as Mick Schumacher and Callum Ilott drove on the final day.
Schumacher conducted the second half of his programme throughout the morning with a successful completion of circa 50 laps, which combined with his total number of laps yesterday afternoon equalled the equivalent of a Grand Prix distance.
Ferrari’s first-ever female academy member after winning the FIA Girls on Track scheme, Maya Weug was present along with James Wharton – winner of FDA Scouting World Finals, to watch Schumacher in action throughout the morning.
Once he concluded his running, Schumacher handed the SF71H to his 2020 F2 title rival and now Ferrari Test and Reserve Driver, Ilott who successfully completed his programme of around 50 laps without any problems after having previously driven the car in September.
Ilott therefore brought the curtain down on Ferrari’s five-day test at Fiorano which began with Giuliano Alesi, Marcus Armstrong and Robert Shwartzman driving the car on Monday, as seven drivers completed over 1500 kilometres between them.
This test was Ferrari’s farewell gift to Alesi as he departed their Driver Academy whilst Marcus Armstrong and Robert Shwartzman remain in F2 this season, as the Kiwi joins DAMS and Shwartzman stays with PREMA.
Tuesday saw Charles Leclerc step into the SF71H to refamiliarize himself with a F1 car before Carlos Sainz made his Ferrari bow on Wednesday and Thursday morning, with Schumacher running on Thursday afternoon and Friday morning ahead of Ilott closing the test on Friday afternoon.
Ferrari Sporting Director, Laurent Mekies commented that the test overall has been a great experience, saying; “I think the best thing about the week was the atmosphere in the garage at our home track, with all the guys really happy to be back on track to prepare as well as possible for the upcoming season.”
Mekies also described this test as a chance for drivers ‘to get back into the swing of driving again after the winter break.’
For the engineers and behind-the-scenes trackside team, this test represented a chance for all to refamiliarise with Coronavirus protocols of bubbles and wearing masks plus other rules.
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