Schwartzman: Since I was a kid I have dreamt of this day

One of the three is sure to be promoted into the top flight next year but paddock consensus appears to be that, apart from a drive at Alfa Romeo, Ferrari will also have a cockpit for one of their young guns with Haas next year.

Russian 21-year-old Robert is, by a few months, the youngest of the three. For last year's F3 Champion this was his first year in Formula 2 while his colleagues have a previous year experience in the F1 feeder series.

Nevertheless, on Wednesday - sporting #35 on the red car and wearing a Michael Schumacher lookalike helmet - he got his taste of the 2018 Ferrari SF71H at Fiorano. The first of the drivers to go out on track and for his very first time at the wheel of a Formula 1 car.

The team reported that he went out for an installation lap at 9.03 and twenty minutes later he began his first real run. The youngster, who has been part of the FDA since 2017, got off to a cautious start, but soon got the hang of the car and the track.

Robert reported afterwards, “I have dreamed of the day when I would drive a Formula 1 car for the first time ever since I was a little kid and finally today was the day. Driving this car was fantastic and great fun.

"The power is what strikes you most: when you accelerate the horsepower never seems to stop. The brakes are equally impressive: the car stops when it feels as though it’s too late to make the corner.

"Apart from the actual driving, it was also special to work with the team. There are a lot of them and they pay attention to every little detail. They really work at a very high level. Thanks to everyone who made this memorable day possible.”

FDA technical boss Marco Matassa said in his summary, "On a purely emotional level, it was wonderful to see the lads in their red race suit in front of their Ferrari, posing for the group photo, especially with Robert who was having his very first drive in a Formula 1 car, which is an unforgettable moment for any driver.”

Robert will driver an Alfa Romeo in FP1, in the Friday of the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend in December.