Ferrari, backup driver for Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz chosen

Ferrari, reserve driver chosen for Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz

Scuderia Ferrari has announced via an official statement its reserve and development drivers for the 2024 Formula 1 World Championship. "The group of Scuderia Ferrari drivers supporting starters Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz over the course of the championship expands. As of this season, in fact, the number of Reserve and Development Drivers" reads the note issued by the Rossa.

"In the role of Reserve Driver, i.e., the driver ready to take over should one of the starters be unable to get on the track, Oliver Bearman, a Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy driver engaged in Formula 2 with the Prema team, will goà alongside the confirmed Antonio Giovinazzi and Robert Shwartzman, who will also be competing in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) with the Ferrari 499 P numbers 51 and 83 respectively".

"In the role of Development Driver, i.e., that of a driver mostly committed to the simulator, dedicated to the development of the car both from the point of view of set-ups and updates during the season, Arthur Leclerc makes his debut instead, who goes alongside the confirmed Antonio Fuoco and Davide Rigon. The Monegasque will also be on track in the Italian Gran Turismo championship with the Ferrari 296 GT3 of Scuderia Baldini 27, on a par with Antonio and Davide, who will compete in the WEC respectively in the Hypercar class, with the number 50 499P, and in the LMGT3 category, with the Ferrari 296 GT3 of the Vista AF Corse" team.

"Oliver and Arthur will have a chance to get in the car and start grinding miles as Scuderia drivers as early as next week. In fact, the team will be busy for three days at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for a test session in collaboration with Pirelli. On the 29th and 30th the owners, Charles and Carlos, will be at the disposal of the sole tire supplier for some tests behind the wheel of last year’s SF23. On the 29th at their side, in the F1-75 of 2022, there will be Arthur Leclerc himself, in his absolute debut in a Formula 1 car, while on the 31st to drive, alone, in that same single-seater will be Oliver Bearman. On Tuesday, the 30th, Leclerc and Sainz will alternate between the SF23 and the F1-75" concludes the statement from the Maranello stable.