Robert Shwartzman has an Israeli license to drive in F1
Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto has confirmed that the Maranello team’s test driver, Russian Robert Shwartzman will be able to ride in one or more free practice sessions this year because he has an Israeli license to race.
After the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the FIA took the decision to let Russian and Belarusian drivers compete in international competitions, but the latter must do so under a neutral banner and obliging them to sign a « charter of commitment ». If for some like Nikita Mazepin the future in motorsport seems more than uncertain, this is not the case for drivers like Robert Shwartzman who has an Israeli license, which will allow him to drive for Ferrari this year.
“Robert was born in Israel, he has an Israeli passport. In terms of licensing, it’s not a Russian license. And he also agreed with the Russian companies that he would somehow cut off any deals he had made with those companies. » Mattia Binotto explained to us last weekend at Imola.
» So for now he is still our test rider and will remain so. And if we will have opportunities in the future to let him drive, we will probably let him drive. » insisted Binotto.
Remember that from this 2022 season, the teams have the obligation to run young drivers during two free practice sessions during the season in order to increase the opportunities for young drivers to access to the premier class of motorsport and gain experience on an official race weekend, while private testing is very limited in F1.
