Ferrari Drivers Academy - Ferrari begin investing in the future

In amongst all the the news surrounding the launch of the new Ferrari F10 there was another important announcement from Ferrari regarding their much talked about young driver programme. Ferrari has always tended to shy away from taking a gamble with young drivers in the race seat, something which has probably cost them signing some very good young talents. However Ferrari are now trying to address this issue with their young drivers academy.

Luca Baldisseri spoke about the aims of the project and what Ferrari are hoping to achieve. Currently Ferrari have 12 drivers selected with more to come, Ferrari are looking for talent at the grass roots of racing in karts as well as other series. “For the first time Ferrari is concentrated on the precise goal of looking for new talents,” said Luca Baldisserri. “The programme, which will start this year, includes several activities, from scouting to training to a driving school, to find new talents and let them grow to be part of Formula 1 with Ferrari one day. At the moment we have 12 young drivers and a further selection will follow. We’re starting with karts and then other formulas such as Abarth, Formula 3, GP3, but also Formula 2, GP2 and the World Series.”

“CISAI organised a first meeting with the 12 drivers this week in Forlì, where the drivers will take a first medical and psychological check up, which is the base of our selection process. We are also relying on many prestigious consultations, such as Minardi, Andrea Bertolini in the area of karts and other professionals in Italy and abroad. Ferrari is the last team taking part in projects dedicated to young drivers and I really believe in this project, because the drivers’ motivation is fundamental as of the start of the career. It’s worth a lot that the drivers not only learn how to drive but also how to talk to the sponsors, to the press and that they know several languages. The programme for professional drivers also includes 5 training periods during the year in Fiorano, Mugello and Vallelunga as well as a final event of the season and an evaluation at the end of the year.”

Ferrari intend to run the programme for the next 5 to 6 years, but not every driver they accept will be guaranteed to remain part of the academy as they will review each driver on a year to year basis. Why the programme is only 5/6 years is not quite clear but if Ferrari are bringing through a steady stream of talent into the sport then the academy will probably continue. Baldisserri would only confirm one driver already in the academy and that was Jules Bianchi who was tipped last season to replace the injured Felipe Massa and has already driven the Ferrari F1. Bianchi will be racing in GP2 this season as he continues his steps towards a F1 career. Baldisserri confirmed that is not just Italian racers they are looking it but over a much wider area.

It's been a long time coming for Ferrari to look at brining in young talent but now they have got the academy up and running then Ferrari will be hoping they will no longer lose young talent to rival teams.