NEWS // FERRARI DRIVING ACADEMY'S FIRST PUPIL

Similar to ladder programs run by Renault and Red Bull, the Ferrari Driving Academy looks to help young drivers make their way to Formula One. Apparently, the new program, which is run by Ferrari’s track manager, Luca Baldisserri, has already selected its first driver; Jules Bianchi... [read more]

A young French racing driver managed by former Ferrari CEO Jean Todt's son Nicholas, Jules Bianchi is the first to come out of the Ferrari Driving Academy. Bianchi, whos father Mauro won the FIA GT Championship not one, but three times, claimed the French Formula Renault 2.0 title in 2007 and the F3 Euroseries in 2009. Following his test in the new Ferrari F10 as a part of the young driver test program, Bianchi went on to collect a podium finish in his GP2 Asia series debut this past weekend.

Unable to find a suitable replacement to the injured Massa, Ferrari suffered an embarrassing 2009 season, collecting only one win (Raikkonen at Spa) and finishing fourth amongst manufacturers.

For 2010, the Italian automaker is expected to do quite well, with a pair of veteran drivers, both of whom seem eager to collect a championship.

As for Bianchi, we'll keep our eyes peeled for the Frenchman, as we expect to see him move from GP2 into F1 within a few short years.

Images and Info: Ferrari
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey