Ferrari considering turning Sauber into its junior F1 team
Ferrari has revealed it is considering turning Sauber into a junior team so it could become a Formula 1 proving ground for its young drivers
On the back of Sauber ditching its planned Honda engine deal in favour of continuing its long relationship with Ferrari, there has been talk that the new partnership would go beyond just a straightforward customer supply.
Sauber team principal Frederic Vasseur suggested over the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend that drivers would form part of that discussion, especially with Ferrari keen to find places for youngsters Antonio Giovinazzi and Charles Leclerc.
Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne thinks it essential his Maranello team does something to make sure its young drivers get race experience in F1.
When asked if Sauber could become a junior team for the Ferrari young driver programme, Marchionne said: "It is an excellent idea and something we are working on.
"We need space because we have a couple of young drivers that are exceptional.
"We need to find a place to lay the foundations for the Scuderia Ferrari of tomorrow."
Marchionne has also suggested that Ferrari is eager to help support even more teams in the future, amid rumours that new entrants are looking at joining the grid.
"Maurizio [Arrivabene] has worked hard in recent months," added Marchionne.
"Going forward we will expand the number of customer teams.
"Both with [F1 owner] Liberty Media with the FIA, we have made a commitment to give support to the teams that are going to come. The more there are, the better for us."
Previous article
Robert Kubica seventh on F1 test return, Sebastian Vettel fastest
Next article
Toro Rosso Honda F1 2018 talks progressing after Tuesday meeting
How Tsunoda plans to achieve his F1 potential
Yuki Tsunoda arrived in grand prix racing amid a whirlwind of hype, which only increased after his first race impressed the biggest wigs in Formula 1. His road since has been rocky and crash-filled, and OLEG KARPOV asks why Red Bull maintains faith in a driver who admits he isn’t really that big a fan of F1?
The danger of reading too much into F1's clickbait radio messages
OPINION: After Lewis Hamilton responded to reports labelling him 'furious' with Mercedes following his heated exchanges over team radio during the Russian Grand Prix, it provided a snapshot on how Formula 1 broadcasting radio snippets can both illuminate and misrepresent the true situation
Why F1’s approach to pole winners with grid penalties undermines drivers
OPINION: Valtteri Bottas is credited with pole position for the 2021 Turkish Grand Prix, despite being beaten in qualifying. This is another example of Formula 1 and the FIA scoring an own goal by forgetting what makes motorsport magic, with the Istanbul race winner also a victim of this in the championship’s recent history
Turkish Grand Prix Driver Ratings
On a day that the number two Mercedes enjoyed a rare day in the sun, the Turkish Grand Prix produced several standout drives - not least from a driver who has hit a purple patch of late
The hidden factors that thwarted Hamilton's bid for shock Turkish GP glory
Starting 11th after his engine change grid penalty, Lewis Hamilton faced a tough task to repeat his Turkish Grand Prix heroics of 2020 - despite making strong early progress in the wet. Instead, his Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas broke through for a first win of the year to mitigate Max Verstappen re-taking the points lead
How pitstops evolved into an F1 art form
A Formula 1 pitstop is a rapid-fire blend of high technology and human performance. PAT SYMONDS describes how the science of margin gains makes stops so quick
Why Mercedes' Istanbul edge is both stronger and weaker than it seems
Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton dominated the opening day of action for the 2021 Turkish Grand Prix, on the Istanbul circuit’s much improved track surface. But the Black Arrows squad’s position isn’t quite what it seems. Here’s why
The rise and fall of Lotus as an F1 superpower
On 8 October 1961, Innes Ireland claimed victory at the United States Grand Prix to herald the true arrival of a new Formula 1 giant. While Team Lotus endured plenty of highs and lows until the team folded over three decades later, Colin Chapman's squad made F1 history and helped shape the championship
