Mick Schumacher and Callum Ilott spent time out on track in the 2018-spec SF71H Ferrari Formula 1 car at Fiorano on Friday, concluding the team’s five-day test.
Seven drivers took part in the test in total with Carlos Sainz, Charles Leclerc, Robert Shwartzman, Marcus Armstrong and Giuliano Alesi completing laps earlier this week.
Alesi bid farewell to the Ferrari Driver Academy this week with his first drive in an F1 car, 30 years on from his father Jean’s debut with the team. Over the five days, the SF71H completed over 500 laps, equivalent to more than 1500 kilometres.
Schumacher went out on track shortly after 9.30 and completed a further 50 or so laps, the same as the previous afternoon, all together equivalent to a Grand Prix distance. Watching proceedings from the pits was Maya Weug, the first girl to join the Ferrari Driver Academy and James Wharton, who won the FDA Scouting World Finals.
Then, from 13.21 Ilott, who finished second to Schumacher in the 2020 F2 championship, took over at the wheel of the SF71H. This was the youngster from Oxford’s second run in the 2018 car, after driving it last year on 30 September at the #RoadToF1 test, in which Schumacher and Shwartzman also took part. Ilott did almost 50 laps, getting through the entire programme prepared by the team without any problems.
The Scuderia will resume preparations for the coming season back in the factory.
Following the conclusion of the test, Ferrari sporting director Laurent Mekies said: “Seven drivers on track over the five days, covering more than 1500 kilometres between them made for a really busy week for the team at Fiorano.
“The most important aspect of the test was to give the Scuderia official race drivers, Charles and Carlos, the opportunity to get back into the swing of driving again after the winter break. For the FDA guys it was another opportunity to experience driving a Formula 1 car. For Carlos and Marcus the test was also a “first”, as the Spaniard’s was making his debut with his new team and the New Zealander was experiencing a Formula 1 car for the first time.
“For Giuliano, the test represented a farewell gift, as his time with the FDA has come to an end. I think the best thing about the week was the atmosphere in the garage at our home track, with all the guys really happy to be back on track, to prepare as well as possible for the upcoming season.”