Robert Shwartzman takes Sainz seat in FP1 of Dutch GP

Ferrari reserve driver, Robert Shwartzman is set to get his first taste behind the wheel of the SF-23 at the Dutch Grand Prix, during the first free practice session. 

Shwartzman, who joined Scuderia as their academy driver in 2017, will make his season debut this weekend at the upcoming Dutch Grand Prix. 

The Russo-Israeli driver is set to take Carlos Sainz’s seat for the opening practice session this weekend, as per the regulations which state all 10 teams must use a young driver in an FP1 session – and both drivers must give up their seat in those two instances.

Shwartzman has said that his experience on Friday will be mainly focused on gathering data to help with the set-up of the car during the weekend, and overall data for the team to use for the second half of the season. The Ferrari driver said: 

“From my side, I will do my best to help the team as much as possible by completing the work plan which aims to get the most out of the car both in terms of set-up work as well as gathering data that can be useful to the team for the second part of the season. 

“In fact, the development programme going on behind the scenes in Maranello needs as much data as possible to move forward at an even faster rate.”

It will not be the first time Shwartzman has driven an F1 car for the team as he drove their SF-75, last year, at the 2022 United States and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix. 

Even with similar experience, provided last season, the Ferrari driver is still ‘excited’ about the prospect. He said: 

“I am very excited to be driving the SF-23 after having worked on its development in the simulator. 

“Driving a Formula 1 car during a round of the World Championship is really special and something to be proud of, especially with Scuderia Ferrari, the team that has supported me throughout my career. 

“It will be interesting for me to compare the SF-23 with last year’s F1-75 which I drove twice, at last year’s United States and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix.”

Shwartzman was last competing in Formula 2 where he finished as runner-up to, now-McLaren F1 driver, Oscar Piastri in his championship winning season in 2021. Since then he has taken up the role as the team’s reserve driver. 

However, with two other Ferrari-backed drivers in F2 this season – in Oliver Bearman and Arthur Leclerc –  the Ferrari team principal Frédéric Vasseur chose Shwartzman as he wanted his other two drivers to focus on their current championship.

That’s all for the article: Robert Shwartzman takes Sainz seat in FP1 of Dutch GP!

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Kamron Kent

Hi, I’m Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion.

I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I’ve loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.

Kamron Kent

Hi, I'm Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I've loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.