Breaking news
Formula 1
Schumacher begins maiden Ferrari F1 test in Bahrain
Mick Schumacher has kicked off his maiden Formula 1 test for Ferrari in Bahrain, where Fernando Alonso has also returned to the wheel of a McLaren.
Scott Mitchell
Edited: Apr 2, 2019, 11:10 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Ferrari Driver Academy protege Schumacher, the son of seven-time world champion Michael, is driving for the famous Italian team on Tuesday before getting behind the wheel of Alfa Romeo’s C38 on Wednesday.
It is the first serious F1 experience for the reigning European Formula 3 champion and Formula 2 rookie, who drove his father's title-winning 1994 Benetton at Spa in a short demonstration two years ago.
He had refused to be distracted by the prospect of his first F1 test prior to the weekend, as he was preparing for his F2 debut.
“It was very exciting and amusing,” he said about learning of his test call-up. “Obviously I’m very happy about the whole thing, but for now my focus is on F2.”
Schumacher has already completed an installation lap in Ferrari’s SF90 in Bahrain, where McLaren returnee Alonso and Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton are already several laps into their programmes.
Two-time champion Alonso is driving a contemporary F1 car for the first time since last year’s Abu Dhabi finale.
It's not just Fernando:
He is behind the wheel of McLaren’s MCL34 as part of his role as an ambassador and advisor for the team, seeking to aid the development of its 2019 car.
Alonso is driving as part of Pirelli’s tyre testing programme, though, so will be following their guidance rather than working through McLaren developments.
However, he had indicated pre-weekend that he was hoping to be able to learn about the car as well, and give his feedback to the team.
"In my case obviously it's more a test for myself to go back to this driving style, to understand a little bit the car," Alonso said.
"And the limitations of the car, if the tyres allow me to feel the limitation [and] what the limitation is - which part of the corner are we strong, which part of the corner are we weak.
Schumacher is the only driver making his F1 test debut on Tuesday, with the rest of the line-up comprising regular race drivers.
However, on Wednesday Red Bull will run Schumacher’s 2018 Euro F3 title rival Dan Ticktum for the first time.
Jack Aitkent (Renault), Pietro Fittipaldi (Haas) and Nicholas Latifi (Williams) will also get a rare chance of F1 action as well.
Bahrain F1 test line-up (Tuesday/Wednesday)
Mercedes: Lewis Hamilton/George Russell
Ferrari: Mick Schumacher/Sebastian Vettel
Red Bull: Max Verstappen/Dan Ticktum
Renault: Daniel Ricciardo/Jack Aitken
Haas: Romain Grosjean/Pietro Fittipaldi
McLaren: Carlos Sainz Jr/Lando Norris + Fernando Alonso/Sainz (Pirelli test car)
Racing Point: Lance Stroll/Sergio Perez
Alfa Romeo: TBC/Schumacher
Toro Rosso: Alex Albon both days + Daniil Kvyat (Pirelli test car)
Williams: George Russell, Robert Kubica/Nicholas Latifi
15
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Assen to chase Dutch GP deal as Zandvoort exclusivity ends
Next article Red Bull searching for "magic password" for "tricky" RB15
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Scott Mitchell
Alfa Romeo must do better in "chaotic" races - Vasseur
Formula 1
Formula 1
Alfa Romeo must do better in "chaotic" races - Vasseur
Honda: Verstappen relationship 'like a young Senna'
Formula 1
Formula 1
Honda: Verstappen relationship 'like a young Senna'
Key team personnel shouldn't be F1 boss - Ferrari
Formula 1
Formula 1
Key team personnel shouldn't be F1 boss - Ferrari
More from
Mick Schumacher
Shank outlines 2027 IndyCar expectations for Mick Schumacher
IndyCar
IndyCar
Shank outlines 2027 IndyCar expectations for Mick Schumacher
Mick Schumacher joins Meyer Shank Racing for 2027 IndyCar season
IndyCar
IndyCar
Laguna Seca
Mick Schumacher joins Meyer Shank Racing for 2027 IndyCar season
Honda crowned 2026 IndyCar manufacturers' champions
IndyCar
IndyCar
Milwaukee Race 2
Honda crowned 2026 IndyCar manufacturers' champions
More from
Ferrari
Ferrari promotes F2 racer to F1 reserve driver role
Formula 1
Formula 1
Singapore GP
11 h
Ferrari promotes F2 racer to F1 reserve driver role
The six drivers doing double duty in Portimao GTWCE and Barcelona WEC this weekend
WEC
WEC
Barcelona
The six drivers doing double duty in Portimao GTWCE and Barcelona WEC this weekend
Latest news
GTA VI 'Vice City' blimp to appear at NASCAR championship weekend
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Phoenix II
1 h
GTA VI 'Vice City' blimp to appear at NASCAR championship weekend
Verstappen Racing struggles to 15th as Porsche takes emotional Portimao pole
GT World Challenge Europe Endurance
WCEE GT World Challenge Europe Endurance 1 h
Verstappen Racing struggles to 15th as Porsche takes emotional Portimao pole
Franco Colapinto urges fans to stop the abuse: “You’re not helping me or my future”
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Singapore GP
6 h
Franco Colapinto urges fans to stop the abuse: “You’re not helping me or my future”
Gresini: New MotoGP rules won't increase gap between factory and satellite teams
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Indonesian GP
6 h
Gresini: New MotoGP rules won't increase gap between factory and satellite teams
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe