Shwartzman satisfied with FP1 performance despite challenges

©Ferrari

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Ferrari protégé Robert Shwartzman qualified his first official practice session onboard the Scuderia's F1-75 as "amazing" and it left the Israeli driver craving for more.

Shwartzman shared his 60-minute work session with pacesetter Carlos Sainz as Charles Leclerc looked on from the Ferrari pitwall.

And it was clean run for the 23-year-old rookie which he concluded P16 after gradually improving his times and racking up 21 laps.

The Ferrari charger would have likely gained a few positions in the session's final standings but he encountered traffic in the shape of Max Verstappen at the final corner on his ultimate lap.

©Ferrari

"My first free practice in the F1-75 felt amazing today," commented Shwartzman.

"We completed everything we had planned for the session and the team was satisfied with the work we did."

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Shwartzman admitted that the Circuit of the Americas was a bumpy proposition that proved challenging to master.

"The track was challenging, bumpy and windy, which took some getting used to," he added.

"As a driver you always want to push more and you want to go for the performance, but my goal today was to improve progressively without taking any risks while driving a completely new car.

"I am happy to have achieved that."

©Ferrari

Shwartzman will be back behind the wheel of Ferrari's 2022 car next month at F1's season finale in Abu Dhabi.

"I’m looking forward to driving again in Abu Dhabi for my second free practice. I think that with my knowledge of the track there and the experience gained today, I can do even better."

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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.