Ferrari junior Shwartzman to drive under Israeli licence

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Ferrari says Russian driver Robert Shwartzman remains affiliated with the Scuderia as he the 22-year-old charger holds an Israeli licence.

Ferrari is set to hand Shwartzman a couple of FP1 outings later this year to comply with the FIA's new directive that mandates that all F1 teams run a rookie in at least two practice sessions this season.

Russian nationals racing under a Russian licence have suffered the consequences of the war in Ukraine. The FIA says those competitors – teams or drivers – must compete this year under a neutral flag or they will be barred from international events sanctioned by the governing body.

"First, Robert is born in Israel," said Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto at Imola this weekend. "He's got an Israeli passport and, in terms of licence, he has not a Russian one.

"He was in agreement as well with Russian companies to interrupt any agreement he got with those countries.

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"So, at the moment, he is still our test driver and he will remain for that. And if we will have in the future any opportunity to let him drive, we will probably let him drive."

Shwartzman, who was also born in Israel, was recruited by the Ferrari Driver Academy in 2017. He finished runner-up to Oscar Piastri in last year's FIA Formula 2 Championship but does not have a racing programme for this season.

Shwartzman has enjoyed several F1 outings with Ferrari in the past onboard older spec machinery, running in private tests at Fiorano and at the end-of-season young driver test at Yas Marina in 2020.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.