Ferrari confirm exit of long-time F1 junior driver

Ferrari has confirmed the exit of Robert Shwartzman from its F1 junior ranks, as he heads to IndyCar in the United States. 

Shwartzman has been on the Ferrari F1 roster since the end of 2021, and took part for the mandatory FP1 sessions in both 2022 and 2023, deputising for Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz at the Mexico City and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix, respectively. 

In 2024, he repeated the duties for the Stake team at the Dutch and Mexico City races, picking up a five-place grid penalty he will likely never serve at the latter for a yellow-flag infringement during practice.

Shwartzman is to join the Prema IndyCar squad alongside fellow ex-Ferrari junior Callum Ilott as the European single-seater powerhouse team joins the IndyCar grid for the first time in 2025.

Taking to social media, Shwartzman thanked the team for the "privilege" of working at Ferrari.

Driving for Scuderia Ferrari has been one of the best experiences in my life! I’ll never forget the feeling of driving a Scuderia Ferrari F1 car for the first time," he wrote.

"I’ll always be grateful for every single lap, every experience and it has been such a privilege to work with some of the most talented and bright people in racing.

"I know my time with the team has shaped me into a better driver and I’m ready to carry all the memories with me into my next adventure."