F1: Ferrari’s Robert Shwartzman represents Israel, not Russia, in F1 test (Update)

Ferrari’s Laurent Mekies has confirmed plans for the Scuderia to fulfil Formula 1’s young driver running in 2022, with Robert Shwartzman set for free practice running.

Mekies has now made public Ferrari’s intentions to stick test driver Shwartzman in the F1-75 in place of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz.

Shwartzman has no full-time racing program in 2022, having not returned to FIA F2 after the ’21 campaign – in which he finished runner-up to Oscar Piastri.

He is spending the year as Ferrari’s test and reserve driver, and will appear for the team under an Israeli license and flag, rather than Russian.

Shwartzman was born in Israel but grew up in Russia, representing the latter country as he climbed the motorsport ladder.

Given the FIA’s ban on Russian-licensed drivers after the invasion of Ukraine, he would have been forbidden had he not changed codes.

“For us, it’s Robert Shwartzman that will do our two FP1s,” explained Mekies to media

“We haven’t exactly decided on which events it’s going to be, [but] you are right in saying that you would not pick races like Singapore or races where the race drivers need more running.

“I don’t think we have an issue in doing it during one of the weekends where we have Pirelli testing.”

Elsewhere, AlphaTauri team boss Franz Tost confirmed that current F2 racer Liam Lawson would be stepping into the AT03 at Spa-Francorchamps when the F1 season resumes in Belgium.

Ferrari test driver Robert Shwartzman represented Israel as he tried out last year’s Formula One car ahead of two Friday practice sessions at grands prix coming up later this year.

The 22-year-old, who was born near Tel Aviv and has dual nationality, represented Russia last season in Formula Two where he finished runner-up to Australian Oscar Piastri.

Russian drivers must now compete as neutrals and sign a commitment not to express support for the country’s invasion of Ukraine.

Ferrari said in a statement that Shwartzman “wore the colors” of Israel for the first time as he completed 681km around the Mugello circuit in central Italy.

It was the second time he had driven an F1 car this year, after a session in the 2018 SF71H at Ferrari’s Fiorano circuit in January, and eighth of his career.

“Today was very useful for Robert as he is due to drive in at least two free practice sessions at Formula One world championship events this season,” Ferrari said.