Italy may have the longest-serving F1 team but as of Friday the country no longer has a F1 driver, a move that saddens Stefano Domenicali.
On Friday, Caterham announced that Jarno Trulli would step down from his role of race driver with immediate effect, leaving Formula One without an Italian driver for the first time since 1969.
"I am very sad that, after so many years there will not be an Italian driver in the Formula 1 World Championship field," Domenicali told the Ferrari website.
"I say this on the sporting front and on a personal level when it comes to Jarno, who only on a few occasions has had a car capable of showing off his talents. So here, I wish him all the best for the future, both in racing and away from the track."
The Ferrari team boss, though, is hoping that one day F1 will have another Italian and perhaps in the form of a Ferrari driver.
The Italian stable has confirmed the signing of two youngsters, Raffaele Marciello and Brandon Maisano, to their Young Driver Academy.
"It's a difficult moment for our sport, partly for external reasons. For a few years now, Ferrari through its Driver Academy, has established a long term plan to create a new generation of young drivers, which works also in collaboration with the CSAI," he continued.
"I am pleased to see that just now, we can announce that two talented youngsters, Raffaele and Brandon, will be given a great opportunity to progress in the sport."
