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Ferrari test driver Robert Shwartzman will be driving in Free Practice 1 for the Scuderia at the 2022 United States Grand Prix. The Israeli will get his first chance to drive the 2022 Ferrari F1-75. He had also driven the 2021 car this season at Mugello in July and at Fiorano in September along with reserve driver Antonio Giovinazzi.
Shwartzman was the runner-up in the 2021 FIA Formula 2 Championship and will participate in the two FP1 sessions for Ferrari, including opening practice at COTA on 21 October. In 2022, teams must run a driver who has taken part in two Grands Prix or fewer in at least two FP1 sessions.
While speaking in Hungary, Racing Director Laurent Mekies addressed that Ferrari would field their FP1 driver Shwartzman sooner rather than later. He said, "For us, it's Robert Shwartzman that will do our two FP1s. You are right in saying that you would not pick races like Singapore or races where the race drivers need more running. I don't think we have an issue in doing it during one of the weekends where we have Pirelli testing."
Talking about the Prancing Horse, Ferrari left the Italian Grand Prix without the win, but Team Principal Mattia Binotto expressed delight at the improved performance of the team at their home race. Charles Leclerc took pole position while Carlos Sainz started at 18th after an engine penalty. But then Leclerc fought for P2, finishing behind Max Verstappen while teammate Sainz rose up to a brilliant fourth-place finish.
"If we look at the last three races, we were not great enough. We have not been great in the pace, and we have not been great in race pace and degradation. But here in Monza, I think we made a step ahead. It’s clear as well if you look at the other cars behind us, we made a step ahead in the qualification", said Binotto.
"We had a great quali with our two drivers and today I think in the race pace, a bit more degradation to Max but still compared to the other cars we had a good performance. Carlos did a fantastic race today and starting from the back he has been the one starting from the back making the most of the progress. He drove very well. He has been fast at the end on the soft tyres", he further added.
