Sauber Junior Team development drivers revealed
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| Callum Ilott |
The Sauber Junior Team is pleased to confirm eight of its young development drivers that will race in the Formula 2, Formula 3 and Formula 4 racing categories in 2019.
Sauber Motorsport, which runs the Alfa Romeo Racing entry in Formula 1, partnered with Charouz Racing System in November to launch the Sauber Junior Team program.
The Sauber Junior Team initiative is unique in international motorsport as it gives talented youngsters a clear pathway to potentially progress from the FIA’s entry-level single-seater category to the verge of Formula 1 with a single team.
Sauber Junior Team by Charouz will be represented in the FIA Formula 2 Championship by Ferrari Driver Academy member Callum Ilott, 20, from the UK, and American Juan Manuel Correa, 19, who impressed during last year’s F2 post-season test in Abu Dhabi.
The Sauber Junior Team by Charouz driver line-up in the FIA Formula 3 Championship is Switzerland’s Fabio Scherer, 19, reigning German F4 champion Lirim Zendeli, 19, and F3 Asia champion Raoul Hyman, 22.
The drivers that will fly the flag for the Sauber Junior Team by US Racing — Charouz in the German and Italian F4 championships are reigning South East Asia F4 champion, Alessandro Ghiretti, 17, Czech Republic National Team karting graduate Roman Stanek, 14, and French F4 Junior Champion Theo Pourchaire, 15.
A fourth driver that will race under the watchful eye of US Racing’s Ralf Schumacher and Gerhard Ungar will be announced shortly.
The drivers recently visited the Sauber Motorsport factory – the home of Alfa Romeo Racing – in Hinwil, Switzerland to continue their preparations for the season ahead.
Frederic Vasseur, Team Principal Alfa Romeo Racing and CEO Sauber Motorsport AG:
“The Sauber Junior Team is heading into the 2019 season with a strong line-up in the FIA single-seater categories — F2, F3 and F4. Our project was launched with the goal of passing on our experience to young drivers and providing a platform where they can successfully develop their skills and come closer to their dream of racing at the pinnacle of motorsport one day. We look forward to our collaboration and will follow the progress of these young talents closely."
Antonin Charouz, Owner Charouz Racing System:
“It’s clear that the Sauber Junior Team by Charouz program provides a unique opportunity for young drivers and I think we’ve brought together an extremely talented and determined line-up for 2019. This is the beginning of an exciting new chapter in our team’s history and we’re looking forward to building on our recent race and championship-winning form in the F2 and F4 categories, as well as showing or strengths in F3, as part of our partnership with Sauber Motorsport."
Callum Ilott, Driver F2:
“Charouz impressed me in 2018, so when [Charouz managing director] Bob Vavrik approached me, outlining the plans he and Fred had, it felt like the right place. Their technical strength, passion and integration with Sauber is something different, it’s great to have earned the chance to be part of it. I’m in a unique position; benefiting from the Ferrari Academy’s expertise with the added advantage of being in the Sauber Junior Team environment, to strengthen me as a driver. There’s a lot to learn, but I’m aiming to repay the FDA’s faith in me by delivering strong performances in the fight for the F2 Championship."
Juan Manuel Correa, Driver F2:
“This season is an incredible opportunity for my career not only because of the high-quality team that is Charouz Racing System, but also because it opens up a clear potential door to F1 through the Sauber Junior Team. A program like this is what many drivers dream of, and I am very honored to have been selected to be a part of it. I am confident that with the added contributions and knowledge from Sauber, I will be able to continue enhancing myself as a driver and have a successful rookie campaign."
Fabio Scherer, Driver F3:
“Joining the Sauber Junior Team is a big moment in my career and I’m determined to take my chance. I had a solid rookie season in F3 last year and I feel ready for this opportunity. I’m hugely proud to be Swiss and it’s an honor to represent Sauber in 2019. My target is to be the first driver from Switzerland to run in F1 with a team that is based in my homeland. I will give everything I can to try and achieve this dream."
Lirim Zendeli, Driver F3:
“Joining the Sauber Junior Team program is a big honor. There are so many junior drivers in motorsport but many of them don’t get the chance to progress to the next level – like F3 – for many reasons. To have the chance to race at the top level of F3 in 2019, and to be affiliated to an F1 team at the same moment, is incredible. I’m thankful to everyone that has helped to bring this opportunity together."
Raoul Hyman, Driver F3:
“I’m excited to join the Sauber Junior Team in the new FIA F3 Championship and build on my title-winning success in the FIA F3 Asia series last year. The Charouz team performed extremely well in its first year of F2 during 2018, and also has a great record in other championships. With their technical and engineering skill, I am confident the team will be strong in FIA F3. I can’t wait to start testing and prepare for what promises to be an exciting season."
Roman Stanek, Driver F4:
“This is an important season for me as I move up from karting, but I’m pleased I will have the professional support of both Sauber and Charouz. My focus is on staying calm during the season and making the best results I can. I’m very happy to join the Sauber Junior Team in F4."
Alessandro Ghiretti, Driver F4:
“It’s going to be interesting to try a new Formula 4 championship. The car, tires and tracks will be completely different to what I raced in Asia. But I’m excited for the new challenge. My goal is to adapt quickly and make a good job as I push for wins. Having a strong association with an F1 team is a good step at this stage of my career and I’m thankful for that."
Theo Pourchaire, Driver F4:
“Joining the Sauber Junior Team program in F4 is a dream chance. Sauber Motorsport has helped so many young drivers in the past and I hope I can follow in their footsteps. I’m excited to step up and test myself at a higher level. It won’t be easy and I will be racing against some good team-mates who are fast, but my objective is to work hard and try to win the championship."
As well as revealing its first driver signings, the Sauber Junior Team is also pleased to unveil the new F2, F3 and F4 car liveries that its drivers will take into battle during 2019.
About Charouz Racing System:
Charouz Racing System is a respected force in global motorsport, thanks to its long and successful history of competing at the highest level. Established in 1985, and based close to Prague in the Czech Republic, the team has masterminded successful programs in various motorsport categories including touring cars, Le Mans prototypes and single-seaters. After dominating both the teams’ and drivers’ championships during the 2017 Formula V8 3.5 season, the organization stepped up its motorsport involvement in 2018 by entering the FIA Formula 2 Championship and entering the Formula 4 category. It was a step that achieved instant success and showed the team’s ability to adapt to new challenges both quickly and effectively. The F2 squad secured a brace of race wins and another five podiums during its rookie season, while the team also guided Lirim Zendeli to the ADAC F4 Championship title, in conjunction with US Racing, after taking ten race wins during the 2018 season.
About Sauber Group of Companies:
The Sauber Group of Companies is composed of three entities – Sauber Motorsport AG, which operates the Formula One team – Sauber Engineering AG, which focuses on prototype development and additive manufacturing – and Sauber Aerodynamik AG, which conducts full- and model-scale testing in the factory’s state-of-the-art wind tunnel and creates ground-breaking innovations in the field of aerodynamics. The companies collaborate closely to apply the expertise of over 450 dedicated individuals at the headquarters in Hinwil, Switzerland, to all internal and external projects. Since its founding in 1970, the passion for racing has been at the heart of Sauber. For over 45 years, the innovative Swiss company has been setting standards in the design, development and construction of race cars for various championship series, such as Formula One, DTM, and WEC. Following its own Formula One debut in 1993, Sauber Motorsport AG has established one of the few traditional and privately held teams in the sport. After 25 years of competition in Formula One, the company launched a long-term partnership with title sponsor Alfa Romeo in 2018 and enters the 2019 championship under the team name Alfa Romeo Racing.