Shwartzman leaves Ferrari with emotional message

Having elected to enter North America’s premier open-wheel championship, former Ferrari Academy member Robert Shwartzman said farewell with an emotional message.

Reuniting with the PREMA family after a successful stint in endurance racing, the 25-year-old Israeli will return to single-seaters next season, completing the team’s Chevrolet-powered effort for the upcoming season as a teammate to British driver Callum Ilott.

Shwartzman joined PREMA for the first time in 2018, claiming third place in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship and ending up as the top rookie that year. He also added the Toyota Racing Series title that season. In 2019, he cruised to the inaugural FIA Formula 3 Championship title of the new era.

He stayed with the team for his jump to the FIA Formula 2 Championship, where he achieved six wins and 14 podium finishes in two seasons and was runner-up in the series in 2021. He made his Formula One testing debut in 2020 with Scuderia Ferrari, continuing to test with the Italian squad and Haas F1 Team the following year.

In 2022, Shwartzman was appointed as a test driver by Scuderia Ferrari and made several Formula One testing and free practice appearances while also performing simulator duties.

Reflecting on his stint at the Maranello-based outfit, Shwartzman commented: “Driving for 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, 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.”

Shwartzman continued: “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.

“Grazie mille to all the tifosi who have always been so supportive over the years and last but not least to everyone in the team who has believed in me, encouraged me and helped me along this journey I am truly thankful,” concluded the Israeli.