Robert Shwartzman tests the 2021 Ferrari at Mugello. The Israeli driver wore the Israeli flag for the first time after years of representing Russia, the country where he grew up
Vice-champion of Formula 2 in 2021, Robert Shwartzman took part in a test in Mugello, Italy, last Wednesday (13) with the Ferrari SF21. It is the second time this year that the Russian-Israeli driver has tested a previous Formula 1 car.
It was the first time Shwartzman used the colors of the Israeli flag. Born in Tel Aviv, he was raised early on in St. Petersburg, Russia, and has always worn the Russian colors. However, the drivers were forced to adopt neutrality after the invasion in Ukraine.
A Ferrari test driver, Robert is expected to appear in two Formula 1 free practice sessions in 2022 as part of a new mandatory rule created by the category to give young drivers experience. Ferrari has not yet determined whether Shwartzman will participate in practice sessions for the team, or for clients such as Alfa Romeo and Haas.
"Today was a very useful day for Robert, as he must participate in at least two free practices of the Formula 1 season, as the regulations call for. It was also a good test for team members. The team working in Maranello was a mixture of experienced mechanics and engineers, working together with young people who train in Maranello, with little experience on the track," said Ferrari.
At 22 years old, Shwartzman has been a member of Ferrari's academy since 2017. He was Formula 3 champion in 2019 and moved up to Formula 2 the following year, finishing with a runner-up finish to Oscar Piastri in 2021.