Haas F1’s Schumacher heads Ferrari’s driver academy for 2022

Haas F1 driver Mick Schumacher heads the roster with nine drivers making up Ferrari’s driver academy.

FDA was founded in 2009 and has helped guide Sergio Perez, the late Jules Bianchi, Charles Leclerc and Schumacher to F1.

2021 Formula 2 runner-up Robert Shwartzman remains part of the academy but wasn’t present at the first camp of the year in Maranello.

Callum Ilott is on a ‘gap year’ due to his commitments in IndyCar, while F2 racer Marcus Armstrong has been dropped altogether.

Arthur Leclerc and Oliver Bearman will team up at Prema in F3, while Dino Beganovic will once again race in the European Formula Regional championship.

Maya Weug will race in F4 again with fellow FDA members James Wharton and new signing, Rafael Camara.

Laura Camps Torras will continue to race karts while testing an F4 car later in the year.

“The 2022 Ferrari Driver Academy intake starts its journey today,” Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto said.

“It’s always a significant day for the girls and boys involved and also for Ferrari, because this programme is an important part of what ‘#essereFerrari’ means. The FDA’s role is not simply to get the best out of the most talented youngsters and lead them to race our cars in Formula 1, it is also about forming people and drivers who are able to make the most of the values that Ferrari represents.

“In 2022, 20 per cent of the F1 grid is made up of past and present FDA students. The dream for them and for us is to do the same as Charles Leclerc, who is about to start his fourth season racing for Ferrari. I wish each and every one of them the best of luck as they progress through the season, which I am sure they will tackle with the will to learn and above all with a smile, because being a racing driver is one of the best jobs in the world.”