Bianchi handed Ferrari 'young driver' test

Friday 20th November 2009

Jules Bianchi is overjoyed after being called up by Ferrari to take part in the young drivers' session at Jerez in December.

Ferrari confirmed on Thursday that the Frenchman, who won the 2009 Drivers' and Teams' titles in the Formula 3 Euroseries, would be in action on the first two days of the test, which starts on December 1st.

Managed by Nicolas Todt, the son of newly-appointed FIA President and Ferrari team boss Jean Todt, the 20-year-old is delighted to be making his Formula One debut with Ferrari.

"I am really happy," Bianchi told Autosport. "It is a very good thing for me to drive an F1 car, and especially a Ferrari, because for me it is the best team in the world. I will do my best and just learn, because the most important thing is to learn."

"Of course it is really good. For me to drive the first time in an F1 car, and for it to be a Ferrari, it is just amazing. I cannot say any other words."

Bianchi is not the only driver testing for Ferrari as on the third day they will put the top three drivers in the Italian Formula 3 Championship; Daniel Zampieri, Marco Zioli and Pablo Sanchez Lopez, through their paces.

However, unlike the Italian Championship trio, the Frenchman will have two days in which to acclimatise himself to Formula One.

"I will be able to go step by step and learn a lot, because it will be really important to make a lot of laps without crashing and without mistakes," he said. "It means I can go step by step until the last day when I can push a lot."

Asked whether he believes his Ferrari test could lead to more opportunities with the Scuderia, he said: "Maybe. Maybe yes, maybe no. It is not sure. First we will do the test and then we will see what will happen."

Your Comments

amoore

"To marmac97. ....."2006 Monte realised that schumi had passed his prime and would not bring home the goods in 2006 Monte wanted Kimi that year"......

Correction. Schumi was involved in the selection of Kimi as his replacement.

Plus Todt did not leave Ferrari on the best of terms with Monte. These are facts.

Also if Monte, thought Schumi was past his prime why is he requesting a three car team to get him back racing in a Ferrari ???"

DamonHill

"don't worry feralphoenix its a sort of social custom on this webside to give a friendly by firm nudge to new people to the game. I am sure everyone feels great they know more than you this subject :) That's why pepole come here in the first place,, You just made our day ;) boy.

marmac97

"@schlick... sorry cant find where Jean Todt left ferrari on less than peachy terms. Todt left F in 2007 in a clear step to set him up as Max's successor. Montezemolo is quoted as saying ��Todt has been one of the fundamental protagonists of the Ferrari story in the last 15 years. All these years together, the wins but also the difficult moments, have created a bond between Ferrari and Todt which will last for ever.��The main disagreement that i can find is that in 2006 Monte realised that schumi had passed his prime and would not bring home the goods in 2006 Monte wanted Kimi that year, Todt was adamant schumi was still the man...oops. I am still of the opinion that both Todts are still very much a part of the Ferrari Team ;)"