Ferrari in full force for Fiorano F1 test; Sainz debut, Schumacher present
Ferrari will kick start its 2021 F1 World Championship preparations this week with a shakedown test involving its two F1 drivers, plus incoming F1 debutant Mick Schumacher and four Ferrari Driver Academy proteges.
Taking place at Ferrari’s private Fiorano Circuit over four days using the 2018-spec SF71H chassis, the outing will mark the official track debut of new signing Carlos Sainz, who replaces four-time F1 World Champion Sebatsian Vettel in the Scuderia’s line-up.
Sainz will get two runs in the car on January 27 and 28 [Weds and Thurs], with Leclerc driving ahead of him on January 26 [Tuesday].
With his signing announced ahead of the delayed 2020 F1 season, Sainz would go on to steer McLaren to third in the constructors’ standings - its best overall result since 2012 - whereas Ferrari struggled for form with the SF1000 en route to fifth.
Joining Sainz at the test will be Leclerc, who will begin his bid to reclaim ground for Ferrari after a tough season that nonetheless yielded a pair of dogged podiums in a tight mid-field battle.
Beyond Sainz, there will be attention on new F2 Champion Schumacher - son of seven-time World Champion Michael - who will don Ferrari colours before officially switching to the Haas F1 Team for what will be his maiden F1 campaign.
A test that will hark back to the iconic days of Michael, who won five of those seven titles in Ferrari machinery, while the younger Schumacher has previously driven Ferrari machinery in demonstration runs, this is the first since being confirmed with Haas.
In addition, Ferrari’s quartet of 2020 F2-competing Driver Academy racers will be present; Callum Ilott, Robert Shwartzman, Marcus Armstrong and Giuliano Alesi.
Shwartzman, Alesi and Armstrong - who was confirmed to be joining DAMS this season on Friday - will be out on track on Monday, while Ilott joins Schumacher on track on Thursday 28 too.
