Rookie Racing

Pic: F2 Twitter

So, with both Haas F1 team and Alpha Romeo Racing team both expected to have seats available for the 2021 season it is creating what us fans like to call ‘silly season’. There has been a LOT of speculation around these seats and which lucky driver will get to race for these teams. Will the Hulk make another comeback? What is going to happen to Perez after his sudden drop from the Racing point team? Or, can we expect one or two rookies to come up the ranks?

The idea of rookies heading into F1 has been made a very likely outcome after it was announced earlier this week that three F2 Ferrari Academy drivers would be given their F1 debuts in free practice this season. The drivers whom have been given this coveted opportunity are Mick Schumacher, son of 7 time World Champion Michael Schumacher, British racing driver Callum Illot and Robert Shwartzman. Schumacher will be driving in the Alpha Romeo whilst Illot will be in the Haas - both of which are Ferrari-affiliated customer teams. The team that Shwartzman will be driving for has not yet been announced.

Schumacher and Illot, who are both 21, are 1st and 2nd retrospectively in the Formula 2 World Championship with two races left. Along with Shwartzman they attended testing this Wednesday where they practiced at Ferraris Fiorano Test track in 2018 F1 Ferraris. Both Schumacher and Illot were set to take part in FP1 at the Eifel Grand Prix this weekend however, weather conditions did not allow this sadly. Shwartzman will test at Yas Marinas at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix later this year.

The big question is are these drivers ready for the step up to Formula 1?

it would have been great if we had got to see Illot and Schumacher take to the track and showcase their skills this weekend. It is however, a lot safer that they take this step when weather conditions are not as treacherous as they have been this weekend at the Nürburgring.

Schumacher has found it difficult to live up to peoples expectations of his name and - in a way - we believe that this has somewhat hampered his chances and possible experience in the field as people are constantly comparing him to his father. Don’t get us wrong, he has managed to do some pretty cool things due to his name; such as being allowed drive his fathers championship winning F2004 on multiple occasions - one of which sach got to see in person and the 2019 German GP - yet, he definitely has felt the pressure. It is great to see him driving so well this season and currently topping the championship score board!

With lots of rumours flying around it will be incredibly interesting to see which of these drivers, if any, make it to F1 next season.

So guys, who do we predict will get these seats? Let us know on our socials..

We have some super exciting news to tell you about in the next few weeks so please make sure you keep up to date with us on Instagram @fs_formulas !

Chat soon,

sach and soph

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