Ferrari Driver Academy

Last updated

Flag of Italy.svg Ferrari Driver Academy
Ferrari Driver Academy Logo.png
Founded2009;16 years ago (2009)
Base Maranello, Modena, Italy
Team principal(s) Jérôme d'Ambrosio
Current driversFIA Formula 2
Flag of Sweden.svg Dino Beganovic
Formula 3
Flag of Brazil.svg Rafael Câmara
Flag of Finland.svg Tuukka Taponen
F1 Academy
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Maya Weug
Flag of Brazil.svg Aurelia Nobels
Website https://www.ferrari.com/en-EN/fda

Ferrari Driver Academy is a driver development program by the Formula One team Scuderia Ferrari to promote young talent within its own organisation, with several drivers being selected and funded by the team, while under long-term contracts. Over the years several Academy drivers have been promoted to Formula One: Charles Leclerc, Sergio Pérez, Lance Stroll, Mick Schumacher, Zhou Guanyu and Oliver Bearman. Former Formula One driver Jerome d'Ambrosio is the head for the academy.

Contents

History

The idea of the concept came from Felipe Massa's coaching within the Ferrari organisation, with the Brazilian being loaned out to Sauber for three seasons whilst being under contract with Ferrari. Jules Bianchi became the first recruit to the scheme in December 2009, being followed by Mirko Bortolotti, Daniel Zampieri, and Raffaele Marciello in March 2010. [1] In late 2010, Ferrari confirmed Sergio Pérez had been signed up to the scheme, the Mexican being set to be its first graduate to Formula One competition, having already signed for Ferrari-powered Sauber days before the announcement. [2] [3] Pérez ceased being a member of the academy after signing to McLaren in 2013. Bianchi also ceased being a member in July 2015, after dying from injuries he sustained at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix while racing for the Ferrari-powered Marussia team. Lance Stroll also ceased being a member following his departure to Williams. Marciello, on the other hand, ceased to be a member for personal reasons.

After rumours of the academy being disbanded, it was announced that the programme would be expanded with Massimo Rivola as its new head. On 23 June 2015, Antonio Fuoco had his first Formula One test with Ferrari during the 2-day post-Austrian Grand Prix test in Spielberg at the Red Bull Ring. In March 2016, it was announced that Charles Leclerc would be inducted into the Ferrari Driver Academy. In November of that year, Enzo Fittipaldi was among five drivers invited to join the Ferrari Driver Academy and was confirmed as a Ferrari Driver Academy member alongside Marcus Armstrong the following month. In late 2017 Ferrari added Callum Ilott, Robert Shwartzman and Gianluca Petecof to their line-up. Mick Schumacher, the son of multiple Formula One World champion Michael Schumacher was added to the lineup in 2019.

In September 2018, it was announced Leclerc would become the first academy member to graduate to Ferrari in 2019. [4]

Mick Schumacher graduated to F1 with Haas F1 after winning the 2020 Formula 2 Championship, while Championship runner-up Callum Ilott was given a test and reserve driver role at Scuderia Ferrari. After 2020, three drivers left the academy: Giuliano Alesi, Enzo Fittipaldi and reigning Formula Regional European Champion Gianluca Petecof, meanwhile Australian karter James Wharton joined it after winning the Ferrari Scouting competition. [5]

In January 2021, Maya Weug, 16, became the first female driver to join the academy. [6] In Autumn of 2021 Ferrari added European Karting vice-champion Rafael Câmara and Italian F4 and ADAC F4 champion Oliver Bearman to their lineup, after the pair won the Ferrari's Scouting World Final. [7]

Following the second running of the Girls On Track – Rising Stars competition, Laura Camps Torras was signed to the setup. [8]

In July 2024, Haas F1 announced that they have signed Bearman on a multi-year contract beginning in the 2025 season. [9]

Current drivers

DriverYearsCurrent SeriesTitles as FDA member
Flag of Sweden.svg Dino Beganovic 2020– FIA Formula 2 Championship Formula Regional European Championship
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Maya Weug 2021– F1 Academy none as Ferrari Driver Academy member
Flag of Brazil.svg Rafael Câmara 2022– FIA Formula 3 Championship Formula Regional European Championship
Flag of Finland.svg Tuukka Taponen [10] 2023– FIA Formula 3 Championship Formula Regional Middle East Championship
Flag of Brazil.svg Aurelia Nobels [10] 2023– Eurocup-4 Spanish Winter Championship
F1 Academy
none as Ferrari Driver Academy member
Sources: [11] [12] [13] [14]

Scuderia Ferrari Esports Team

DriverJoined SinceCurrent SeriesTitles as FDA member
Flag of Iran.svg Bardia Broumand2023–F1 Sim Racingnone as Ferrari Driver Academy member
Flag of France.svg Nicolas Longuet2023–none as Ferrari Driver Academy member
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dylan Warren2023–none as Ferrari Driver Academy member
Flag of Poland.svg Kamil Stachura2023–none as Ferrari Driver Academy member
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jonathan Riley2023–SRO Intercontinental GT Challenge EsportsFerrari Esports Series (2022)
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Chris Harteveld2023–SRO Intercontinental GT Challenge Esports
SRO Esports Sim Pro Series
SRO Esports Sim Pro Series
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Isaac Gillissen2024–SRO Intercontinental GT Challenge Esports
Virtual Endurance Championship
DTM Esports Pro Championship
British F4 Esports Championship
Virtual Endurance Championship
Ferrari Esports Series (2023)
Flag of Hungary.svg Gergő Báldi2024–SRO Intercontinental GT Challenge Esports
DTM Esports Pro Championship
Precision Racing League GT3 Sprint Series
British F4 Esports Championship
Precision Racing League GT3 Sprint Series
Ferrari Esports Series (2023)
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Graham Carroll2024–British F4 Esports Championship
FIA F4 Esports Global Championship
British F4 Esports Championship
Flag of Hungary.svg Patrik Sipos2024–F1 Sim Racingnone as Ferrari Driver Academy member
Flag of Norway.svg Daniel Kjeldsen2024–none as Ferrari Driver Academy member
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg John Evans2024–none as Ferrari Driver Academy member
Flag of Norway.svg Ole Steinbråten2025–IMSA Esports Global Championshipnone as Ferrari Driver Academy member
Flag of Italy.svg Lorenzo Manfredotti2025–none as Ferrari Driver Academy member
Flag of Italy.svg Michele Constantini2025–iRacing Special Eventsnone as Ferrari Driver Academy member
Flag of Germany.svg Niklas Beu2025–none as Ferrari Driver Academy member
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Luke Whitehead2025–LFM Pro SeriesFerrari Esports Series (2024)

Graduates to Formula One

This list contains the drivers that have graduated to Formula One with support from Ferrari. Therefore, drivers who have had support in the past and entered Formula One through other means, such as Lance Stroll and Zhou Guanyu, are not included. Drivers who drove for other teams while still part of Ferrari's youth setup are highlighted in italics.

DriverAcademy experienceF1 experience with FerrariF1 experience with other teams
YearsFormer series
Flag of France.svg Jules Bianchi 2009–2014 Formula 3 Euro Series ( 2009 )
GP2 Series (20102011)
Formula Renault 3.5 Series (2012)
Formula One (20132014)
Marussia (20132014)
Flag of Mexico.svg Sergio Pérez 2010–2012 GP2 Series (2010)
Formula One (20112012)
Sauber (20112012)
McLaren (2013)
Force India (20142018)
Racing Point (20192020)
Red Bull Racing (20212024)
Flag of Monaco.svg Charles Leclerc 2016–2018 GP3 Series ( 2016 )
FIA Formula 2 Championship ( 2017 )
2019 Sauber (2018)
Flag of Germany.svg Mick Schumacher 2019–2022 Formula 2 Championship (2019 2020 ) Haas (20212022)
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Oliver Bearman 2022– FIA Formula 3 Championship (2022)
Formula Regional Asian Championship (2022)
FIA Formula 2 Championship (20232024)
2024 Haas (2024–)

Former drivers

DriverYearsSeries competed as Ferrari Driver Academy memberF1 team(s)
Flag of Italy.svg Mirko Bortolotti 2010 GP3 Series (2010)None
Flag of Italy.svg Daniel Zampieri 2010 Formula Renault 3.5 Series (2010)None
Flag of France.svg Brandon Maïsano 2010–2012 Formula Abarth ( 2010 )
Italian Formula Three Championship (20112012)
None
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Lance Stroll 2010–2015Karting (2010–2013)
Italian F4 Championship ( 2014 )
Toyota Racing Series ( 2015 )
FIA Formula 3 European Championship (2015)
Williams (2017–2018)
Racing Point (2019–2020)
Aston Martin (2021–)
Flag of Italy.svg Raffaele Marciello 2010–2015 Formula Abarth (2010)
Italian Formula Three Championship (2011)
Toyota Racing Series (2012)
Formula 3 Euro Series (2012)
FIA Formula 3 European Championship (2012 2013 )
GP2 Series (20142015)
None
Flag of Italy.svg Antonio Fuoco 2013–2018 Formula Renault 2.0 Alps ( 2013 )
FIA Formula 3 European Championship (2014)
GP3 Series (20152016)
FIA Formula 2 Championship (20172018)
None
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Zhou Guanyu [15] 2014–2018 Italian F4 Championship (2015)
ADAC Formula 4 (2015)
Toyota Racing Series (2016)
FIA Formula 3 European Championship (20162018)
Alfa Romeo (2022–2023)
Kick Sauber (2024)
Flag of France.svg Giuliano Alesi [16] [17] 2016–2020 GP3 Series (20162018)
FIA Formula 2 Championship (20192020)
None
Flag of Brazil.svg Gianluca Petecof [18] 2017–2020 Italian F4 Championship (20182019)
ADAC Formula 4 (20182019)
Formula Regional European Championship ( 2020 )
None
Flag of Brazil.svg Enzo Fittipaldi 2017–2020 ADAC Formula 4 (20172018)
Italian F4 Championship (2017 2018 )
Formula Regional European Championship (2019)
FIA Formula 3 Championship (2020)
None
Flag of New Zealand.svg Marcus Armstrong 2017–2021 Toyota Racing Series (20172019)
Italian F4 Championship ( 2017 )
ADAC Formula 4 (2017)
FIA Formula 3 European Championship (2018)
FIA Formula 3 Championship (2019)
FIA Formula 2 Championship (20202021)
None
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Callum Ilott [19] 2017–2021 [note 1] GP3 Series (2018)
FIA Formula 2 Championship (20192020)
GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup (2021)
None
Flag of Russia.svg / Flag of Israel.svg Robert Shwartzman [20] 2017–2022 Formula Renault Eurocup (2017)
Toyota Racing Series ( 2018 )
FIA Formula 3 European Championship (2018)
FIA Formula 3 Championship
( 2019 )
FIA Formula 2 Championship (20202021)
None
Flag of Monaco.svg Arthur Leclerc 2020–2023 Formula Regional European Championship (2020)
FIA Formula 3 Championship (20212022)
Formula Regional Asian Championship ( 2022 )
FIA Formula 2 Championship (2023)
None
Flag of Australia (converted).svg James Wharton 2021–2023 Formula 4 UAE Championship (2022 2023 )
Italian F4 Championship (20222023)
ADAC Formula 4 (2022)
Euro 4 Championship (2023)
None
Flag of Spain.svg Laura Camps Torras [21] 2022Karting (2022)None

Former FDA Esports drivers

DriverYearsSeries competed inTitles as FDA Esports member
Flag of Italy.svg Amos Laurito2019 F1 Esports
SRO GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup
GT World Challenge Esports Europe Endurance Cup (2021)
Flag of Italy.svg Gianfranco Giglioli2019 F1 Esports None
Flag of Italy.svg Enzo Bonito2020 F1 Esports
SRO E-Sport GT Series Championship
None
Flag of Slovakia.svg Filip Prešnajder2020 F1 Esports None
Flag of Italy.svg Domenico Lovece2021 F1 Esports None
Flag of Italy.svg David Tonizza2019–2022 F1 Esports
SRO GT World Challenge Esports Europe
SRO Intercontinental GT Challenge Esports
F1 Esports (2019)
SRO GT World Challenge Esports Europe Endurance Cup (2021)
Flag of Italy.svg Giovanni De Salvo2021–2022SRO GT World Challenge Esports Europe
SRO Intercontinental GT Challenge Esports
Ferrari Esports Series (2020)
SRO GT World Challenge Esports Europe Endurance Cup (2021)
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Brendon Leigh2021–2022 F1 Esports None
Flag of Hungary.svg Bence Szabó-Kónyi2021–2022 F1 Esports None
Flag of Denmark.svg Kasper Stoltze2021–2023 Le Mans Virtual Series None
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Jordy Zwiers2021–2023 Le Mans Virtual Series None
Flag of Denmark.svg Martin Dyrlund2021–2023 Le Mans Virtual Series None
Flag of Chile.svg Fabrizio Donoso Delgado2022 F1 Esports None
Flag of Poland.svg Kamil Pawłowski2022SRO GT World Challenge Esports Europe
SRO Intercontinental GT Challenge Esports
Ferrari Esports Series (2021)
Flag of Italy.svg Danilo Santoro2022SRO Intercontinental GT Challenge EsportsNone
Flag of Italy.svg Daniel Savini2022SRO Intercontinental GT Challenge EsportsNone
Flag of Germany.svg Christian Michel2022–2023 Le Mans Virtual Series None
Flag of France.svg Hugo Merlhes2022SRO Intercontinental GT Challenge EsportsNone
Flag of Germany.svg Sven Zurner2022 F1 Esports None
Flag of the United States.svg Chandler Seita2022 F1 Esports None
Flag of Italy.svg Andrea Capoccia2023SRO Intercontinental GT Challenge EsportsNone
Flag of South Africa.svg Jordan Sherratt2023SRO Intercontinental GT Challenge Esports
SRO Esports Sim Pro Series
None
Flag of Germany.svg Alex Siebel2023–2024rFactor 2 GT Challenge
Formula SimRacing World Championship
Virtual Endurance Championship
Virtual Endurance Championship
Flag of Poland.svg Tomek Poradzisz2023–2024 F1 Sim Racing None
Flag of Lithuania.svg Grantas Kareckas2024SRO Intercontinental GT Challenge EsportsNone
Flag of Hungary.svg István Puki2024 F1 Sim Racing None
Flag of Germany.svg Dennis Jordan2023–2024rFactor 2 GT Challenge
Formula SimRacing World Championship
Virtual Endurance Championship
rFactor 2 GT Challenge
Virtual Endurance Championship
Flag of North Macedonia.svg Timotej Andonovski2023–2024rFactor 2 GT Challenge
Virtual Endurance Championship
Virtual Endurance Championship
Flag of Russia.svg Mikhail Statsenko2024SRO Intercontinental GT Challenge EsportsNone
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Maarten van Loozenoord2025iRacing Special EventsNone

Esports

In 2019, Ferrari established the FDA Esports Team to compete in the Formula One Esports Series. [22] That same year, Italian David Tonizza won the drivers' championship, securing their first championship victory. [23]

In 2020, Enzo Bonito and Filip Prešnajder joined the team. A much harder season was to come, with Ferrari only taking 2 wins in the season, both achieved by Tonizza.

For 2021, two-time Esports champion Brendon Leigh joined the team from Mercedes to partner Tonizza and newcomer Domenico Lovece. They finished 4th in the teams' championship on 125 points with 1 win and 2 podiums, both from Tonizza.

Runner-up from 2017 Fabrizio Donoso joined Leigh and Tonizza at Ferrari for 2022. They endured their worst season to date, with only one podium from Leigh and ending up 7th in the team standings.

Complete F1 Esports Series results

YearChassisDrivers123456789101112 Points WCC
2019 Ferrari SF90 BHR CHN AZE CAN RBR GBR GER BEL ITA JPN USA BRA 1842nd
Flag of Italy.svg David Tonizza113815343462
Flag of Italy.svg Amos Laurito161613191619172017
Flag of Italy.svg Gianfranco Giglioli171615
2020 Ferrari SF1000 BHR VIE CHN NED CAN RBR GBR BEL ITA JPN MEX BRA 1005th
Flag of Italy.svg David Tonizza2011911Ret105817Ret6
Flag of Italy.svg Enzo Bonito1472010111185141119
Flag of Slovakia.svg Filip Prešnajder11
2021 Ferrari SF21 BHR CHN RBR GBR ITA BEL POR NED USA EMI MEX BRA 1254th
Flag of Italy.svg David Tonizza91451015365519
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Brendon Leigh 126861918179115518
Flag of Italy.svg Domenico Lovece11
2022 Ferrari F1-75

See also

Notes

  1. Ilott was still contracted to Ferrari as of 2022, but was said to be on an extended "gap year" from the academy while racing in the IndyCar Series.'"`UNIQ--ref-00000033-QINU`"'

References

  1. Beer, Matt (6 March 2010). "Ferrari expands young driver academy". Autosport . Haymarket Publications . Retrieved 7 March 2013.
  2. Noble, Jonathan (8 October 2010). "Perez joins Ferrari young driver scheme". Autosport . Haymarket Publications . Retrieved 7 March 2013.
  3. "FDA testing at Fiorano: on track with Formula 3 today and F1 Thursday". Ferrari.com. 12 September 2011. Archived from the original on 23 March 2012. Retrieved 7 March 2013.
  4. "Charles Leclerc to drive for Scuderia Ferrari in 2019". Scuderia Ferrari. 11 September 2018. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
  5. Allen, Peter (9 December 2020). "James Wharton wins Ferrari Driver Academy scouting shootout". Formula Scout. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  6. George Ramsay (23 January 2021). "Maya Weug becomes first female driver to earn a spot in the Ferrari Driver Academy". CNN. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  7. Gascoigne, Roger (8 November 2021). "Bearman and Camara signed by Ferrari Driver Academy for 2022". Formula Scout. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  8. "Laura Camps Torras wins Girls on Track – Rising Stars and a place in the Ferrari Driver Academy". www.ferrari.com. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
  9. "MoneyGram Haas F1 Team Signs Oliver Bearman". haasf1team.com. 4 July 2024. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  10. 1 2 "The Ferrari Driver Academy year gets underway". www.ferrari.com. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
  11. Mitchell, Scott (19 January 2019). "Ferrari adds Schumacher to F1 junior programme". motorsport.com. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
  12. "Arthur Leclerc and Dino Beganovic for the Scuderia's young driver programme". 17 January 2020. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  13. Smith, Luke (8 November 2021). "British youngster Bearman joins Ferrari Driver Academy". Motorsport.com . Motorsport Network . Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  14. "Al via il 2022 della Ferrari Driver Academy". www.ferrari.com (in Italian). Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  15. "Scuderia Ferrari: new from China". Ferrari.com. 9 June 2014. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 22 July 2014.
  16. "Alesi's F1 dream fades over funding issues". Planet F1. 9 November 2020. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  17. "Giuliano Alesi leaves the Ferrari Driver Academy and F2". Formula Scout. 25 January 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  18. "Ferrari adds Brazilian karter Gianluca Petecof to Driver Academy | Formula Scout". www.formulascout.com. 5 December 2017. Retrieved 5 December 2017.
  19. "Ilott is first British driver to join FDA". pitpass.com. 19 October 2017. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  20. Wood, Elliot (24 October 2017). "Robert Shwartzman added to Ferrari Driver Academy". Formula Scout. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  21. "Joining the Ferrari Driver Academy and winner of #GirlsOnTrack Senior competition… Laura Camps Torras". Twitter. Ferrari Driver Academy. 7 December 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  22. "Ten Teams Confirmed For 2019 F1 New Balance Esports Series". 31 May 2019. Archived from the original on 2 September 2022. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
  23. "Tonizza And Red Bull Crowned Champions! 2019 F1 Esports Grand Final Report". 5 December 2019. Archived from the original on 15 January 2021. Retrieved 14 January 2021.