Formula 1: Ferrari's three-headed 'good problem to have'

Ferrari have three junior drivers competing in Formula 2 who are poised for Formula 1 promotions. Unfortunately, at least one will likely have to wait.

While Ferrari may have solidified the driver lineup at their works team for the 2021 Formula 1 season before the 2020 season even began, they still have plenty on their plate in the midst of Silly Season as the 2020 season nears its end.

They signed Charles Leclerc to an extension that runs through the 2024 season this past December, and they confirmed that McLaren’s Carlos Sainz Jr. is set to replace four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel beginning next year on a two-year deal.

However, even with no driver changes in order for the Scuderia until 2023 at the very earliest, there are still decisions to be made for 2021.

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In this case, it is a good problem to have.

Ferrari Driver Academy members Mick Schumacher, Callum Ilott and Robert Shwartzman are all poised for Formula 1 rides, perhaps as early as next year, and all have had success in Formula 2 this year.

This trio of 21-year-old drivers all sit in the top four in the Formula 2 championship standings. But there are only so many open seats in Formula 1. Ferrari have the right to select one of Alfa Romeo’s two drivers each year, and their current selection, Antonio Giovinazzi, does not have a contract for next year.

More than likely, one of these three drivers will end up in his seat next year. With Kimi Raikkonen having been rumored to retire, there could potentially be two open seats there as well. But would Alfa Romeo take on two young Ferrari juniors?

If they don’t, Haas is always a possibility, given their Ferrari ties and the fact that both Kevin Magnussen and Romain Grosjean are in contract years, but they have made clear in the past that they aren’t interested in effectively being the Ferrari B-team.

With all things considered, even though it does appear that at least one of these three talented young Ferrari juniors will reach the highest level of the sport next year, it is highly unlikely that all three will be promoted ahead of the 2021 season.

So who gets promoted to Formula 1 first, possibly (and probably) as early as next year, and who gets left on the outside looking in?

As referenced above, this is a good problem to have. The thing is, no solution is going to end up seeming fair.

Schumacher, the son of seven-time champion and 91-time Grand Prix winner Michael Schumacher, currently leads the standings with two victories and eight additional podium finishes through the first 20 races. He is in his second season of Formula 2 competition after competing in the Formula 3 European Championship for two seasons.

In his rookie Formula 3 European Championship season in 2017, he finished in 12th place in the driver standings. The following year, he won the championship. In his rookie Formula 2 season, he also finished in 12th in the standings. Will he repeat what he did in the Formula 3 European Championship and win this year’s title?

Ilott currently sits in second place behind Schumacher in the standings with three victories but only two additional podium finishes. He is in his second season of full-time Formula 2 competition, although he made two starts in 2017. He finished in 11th place in last year’s driver standings following a season in the GP3 Series that saw him finish in third.

Finally, Shwartzman sits in fifth place in the standings behind Schumacher, Ilott and Christian Lundgaard with three victories and two additional podium finishes. He is in his rookie Formula 2 season after finishing in third place in the 2018 Formula 3 European Championship and then winning last year’s Formula 3 title.

Schumacher, Ilott and Shwartzman are all slated to make their Formula 1 practice session debuts later this year.

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So who will get the nod next year, and who will be left competing in Formula 2 for at least another season? While Ferrari are in an enviable position in terms of having this level of talent at their disposal, there are plenty who don’t envy them over the decisions that are going to have to be made.

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Formula 1: Ferrari’s 3-headed ‘good problem to have’

By Asher Fair | Oct 15, 2020

Ferrari have three junior drivers competing in Formula 2 who are poised for Formula 1 promotions. Unfortunately, at least one will likely have to wait.