Ferrari Driver Academy

The Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy is a driver development program by Scuderia Ferrari to nurture young talent within its own organisation for potential Formula One entries. Over the years, several Academy drivers have progressed onto F1, such as Charles Leclerc, Sergio Pérez, Lance Stroll, Mick Schumacher, Zhou Guanyu and Oliver Bearman.

The Academy is currently supervised by Jérôme d'Ambrosio, who competed in Formula One between 2011 and 2012.

History

The idea for a Ferrari Driver Academy 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.^[1] Jules Bianchi became the first recruit to the scheme in December 2009,^[2] being followed by Mirko Bortolotti, Daniel Zampieri, and Raffaele Marciello in March 2010.^[3] 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.^[4][5] Pérez left the academy after signing to McLaren in .^[6] Bianchi also ceased being a member in July 2015, after passing away from injuries sustained at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix whilst racing for the Ferrari-powered Marussia team. Lance Stroll also left the academy, moving to Williams for the 2017 Formula One season.^[7] Marciello, on the other hand, ceased to be a member for personal reasons, though later stated that he was removed from the team and believed that Ferrari's team principal at the time, Maurizio Arrivabene, "just didn't like" him.^[8]

After rumours of the academy being disbanded, it was announced that the programme would be expanded with Massimo Rivola as its new head.^[9][10] On 23 June 2015, Antonio Fuoco had his first Formula One test with Ferrari during the 2-day post- test at the Red Bull Ring.^[11] In March 2016, it was announced that Charles Leclerc would be inducted into the Ferrari Driver Academy.^[12] In November of that year, Enzo Fittipaldi was amongst five drivers invited to join the Ferrari Driver Academy and was confirmed as a Ferrari Driver Academy member alongside Marcus Armstrong the following month.^[13][14] In late 2017, Ferrari added Callum Ilott, Robert Shwartzman and Gianluca Petecof to their line-up.^[15][16][17] Mick Schumacher, the son of multiple Formula One World champion Michael Schumacher was added to the lineup in 2019.^[18]

In September 2018, it was announced Leclerc would become the first academy member to graduate to Ferrari in .^[19]

Mick Schumacher graduated to F1 with Haas F1 after winning the 2020 Formula 2 Championship,^[20] whilst Championship runner-up Callum Ilott was given a test and reserve driver role at Scuderia Ferrari.^[21] After 2020, three drivers left the academy: Giuliano Alesi, Enzo Fittipaldi and reigning Formula Regional European Champion Gianluca Petecof;^[22][23][24] meanwhile Australian karter James Wharton joined it after winning the Ferrari Scouting competition.^[25]

In January 2021, Maya Weug, 16, became the first female driver to join the academy.^[26] 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.^[27]

Following the second running of the Girls On Track – Rising Stars competition, Laura Camps Torras was signed to the setup.^[28]

In July 2024, Haas F1 announced that they have signed Bearman on a multi-year contract beginning in the 2025 season.^[29]

Current drivers

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.

Former drivers

• Championship titles highlighted in bold.

Esports

In 2019, Ferrari established the FDA Esports Team to compete in the Formula One Esports Series.^[49] That same year, Italian David Tonizza won the drivers' championship, securing their first championship victory.^[50]

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.

Scuderia Ferrari Esports Team

Former FDA Esports drivers

Complete F1 Esports Series results

See also

• Scuderia Ferrari
• Formula Abarth
• Formula Future Fiat

Notes

1. ^ Ilott was still contracted to Ferrari in 2022, but was said to be on an extended "gap year" from the academy whilst racing in the IndyCar Series.^[51]

References

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38. ^ Smith, Luke (November 8, 2021). "British youngster Bearman joins Ferrari Driver Academy". Motorsport.com. Motorsport Network. Archived 8 November 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
39. ^ Allen, Peter (21 December 2012). "Fuoco joins Ferrari Driver Academy, Maisano out". Formula Scout. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
40. ^ "Canadian Lance Stroll signed on by Ferrari Driver Academy". Vroom Magazine. 9 June 2010. Archived 3 July 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
41. ^ Chokhani, Darshan (22 January 2019). "Fuoco remains with Ferrari academy as 2019 batch meets at Maranello". Formula Rapida. Archived 3 July 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 3 July 2025. ...Ferrari has now confirmed his role with the FDA as a 'consultant' rather than a junior driver.
42. ^ "Scuderia Ferrari: new from China". Ferrari.com. 9 June 2014. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 22 July 2014.
43. ^ "Guanyu Zhou Joins the Renault Sport Academy for 2019". 22 January 2019. Archived from the original on 16 March 2019. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
44. ^ Wilde, Jon (9 November 2020). "Alesi's F1 dream fades over funding issues". Planet F1. Archived 25 January 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
45. ^ Allen, Peter (11 January 2022). "Marcus Armstrong leaves Ferrari Driver Academy ahead of 2022". Formula Scout. Archived 11 January 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
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External links

• Official website