Ferrari announce official driver EXIT in team statement...

Ferrari announce official driver EXIT in team statement….read more

Ferrari has officially announced the departure of Robert Shwartzman from its Formula 1 team ahead of the 2025 season, as the Russian driver transitions to a new chapter in his motorsport career. Shwartzman, who has been associated with Ferrari for several years in various roles, will be stepping away from his position as a reserve driver with the Scuderia, as he embarks on a new journey in IndyCar with the Prema Racing team starting in 2025. This announcement further highlights the ongoing changes within the Ferrari team, which has already seen significant reshuffling in its driver lineup for the upcoming seasons.

The news of Shwartzman’s exit from Ferrari follows the highly anticipated move of Carlos Sainz, who will be leaving the team at the end of the 2024 season. Sainz’s departure paves the way for Lewis Hamilton to join Ferrari, creating a blockbuster partnership between the most successful team in F1 history and the sport’s most decorated driver. The signing of Hamilton has sparked a wave of changes across the grid, with other driver swaps and team realignments taking place, including the move of Ferrari’s young talent Ollie Bearman to a full-time seat at Haas, after Nico Hülkenberg’s decision to leave the American team for Sauber.

In light of these changes, Ferrari’s driver roster is undergoing a transformation, and the departure of Shwartzman further reduces the pool of reserve drivers available to the team for the 2025 season. With Hamilton joining Charles Leclerc in the main driver lineup, Shwartzman’s exit leaves Ferrari with one less backup driver for potential replacement during race weekends or other sessions. This reshuffling reflects the shifting priorities of the team as it adjusts to a new era with new drivers at the helm.

Robert Shwartzman, 24, joined Ferrari’s Driver Academy in 2017 and quickly made a name for himself with his impressive performances in various junior categories. His early promise led to his involvement as a reserve driver for the Scuderia, and he made several appearances in F1 practice sessions. In 2024, he participated in two practice sessions with Sauber, currently the Alfa Romeo team, a relationship that gave him valuable exposure to Formula 1 machinery while still being part of the Ferrari fold.

However, despite his connection with Ferrari and his role in F1 as a reserve driver, Shwartzman’s aspirations for a full-time race seat in Formula 1 have not materialized. His move to IndyCar marks a new direction for his career, as he looks to continue his racing journey in the United States. Shwartzman’s decision to pursue this opportunity suggests that his dreams of securing a full-time seat in F1 may have been increasingly difficult to achieve, especially with the competition for spots in top teams being fiercer than ever.

In an official statement released by Ferrari, the team expressed gratitude for Shwartzman’s contributions over the years. The team thanked him for his dedication, hard work, and commitment to the Scuderia, highlighting his professionalism and the valuable experience he gained while working with Ferrari. The team also wished him the best of luck in his future endeavors, acknowledging the role he played in Ferrari’s development and as part of the team’s driver development program.

Shwartzman himself took to social media to express his thanks and appreciation for Ferrari, recalling the significant moments of his time with the team. In a heartfelt message shared on X (formerly Twitter), Shwartzman wrote, “Driving for Scuderia Ferrari has been one of the best experiences in my life. I’ll never forget the feeling of driving a Scuderia Ferrari F1 car for the first time. I’ll always be grateful for every single lap, every experience, and it has been such a privilege to work with some of the most talented and bright people in racing.”

Shwartzman’s message reflected his deep connection with Ferrari, as he acknowledged the pivotal role the team had played in his development as a driver. He also thanked the Ferrari fans, or “Tifosi,” for their unwavering support throughout his time with the team. “Grazie mille to all the Tifosi who have always been so supportive over the years,” he wrote, expressing his gratitude to both the team and its passionate fanbase. He also thanked his colleagues within Ferrari for their encouragement, belief in his abilities, and the guidance they provided during his tenure with the team.

Looking ahead, Shwartzman’s move to IndyCar signals a new phase in his motorsport career, as he will join Prema Racing for the 2025 season. The opportunity to race in one of the most prestigious motorsport series in the world offers Shwartzman a fresh challenge and a chance to make his mark in a different arena. While his departure from Ferrari marks the end of an era for him within the F1 team, it also opens the door for new opportunities and experiences as he embarks on his next adventure in racing.

For Ferrari, Shwartzman’s exit is just another chapter in the ongoing evolution of the team’s driver lineup, with more changes likely to come as the 2025 season approaches. As the Scuderia prepares for a new era with Hamilton and Leclerc, the departure of key figures like Shwartzman underscores the fluid and dynamic nature of modern Formula 1, where drivers are constantly pursuing new opportunities and teams are adjusting their strategies to stay competitive.