Shwartzman to appear for Haas at Abu Dhabi Young Drivers’ Test
Ferrari junior Robert Shwartzman, arms folded, in the garage for a Formula 2 test. Spain, April 2021.
Haas have confirmed that Ferrari junior Robert Shwartzman will be in the Haas VF-21 for the post-season test in Abu Dhabi.
Shwartzman, a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy, was in contention for a place on the 2021 Formula 1 grid, potentially with Haas or Alfa Romeo, but the Russian racer ultimately remained in Formula 2 for a second season.
There his performances have been strong, with two races wins and a further three P3 finishes helping him to third in the 2021 Drivers’ standings, with six races still to go.
Sadly there is no space again in Formula 1 for Shwartzman to join the 2022 grid, but he will get the chance to sample F1 machinery as he gets behind the wheel of the Haas VF-21 at the Young Drivers’ Test, held after the season finale at Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit.
Robert Shwartzman will do a full day of testing for Haas at the end of season young driver test in Abu Dhabi #F1
— Chris Medland (@ChrisMedlandF1) November 25, 2021
“First of all I would like to thank Haas F1 Team, Scuderia Ferrari and the Ferrari Driver Academy for this great opportunity,” said Shwartzman via the Haas website.
“This will be my first test with Haas F1 Team and I’m really looking forward to getting to know a new team, environment and also to learn as much as possible from them.
“Having the chance to drive for another F1 team is just incredible and I can’t wait to work with everyone.”
Haas principal Guenther Steiner is never shy to give young up and coming drivers a chance, after all, their 2021 line-up consists of rookies Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin, who both stepped up from Formula 2 for the 2021 season, Schumacher as the reigning champion.
So now Steiner looks forward to working with Shwartzman, a fellow Ferrari junior alongside Schumacher, and a driver who he and Ferrari rate highly.
“We’re looking forward to testing with Robert at Yas Marina in December,” said Steiner.
“He’s obviously highly rated by Ferrari – having been part of their driver programme since the end of 2017. His ability is clearly in evidence when you look at his performances over the last few seasons – most notably his rookie campaign in Formula 2 last year – competing against the likes of our own two drivers Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin.
“We are pleased to be able to give Robert an outing in a Formula 1 car and we look forward to working with him in Abu Dhabi.”