Mick Schumacher, Haas Formula 1 driver, drove SF71H test car for Ferrari at Fiorano.
On Thursday, he ran 50 laps and practiced starts in 2018 car. He asserts that this will provide “an excellent base” for his rookie season.
Schamcher had two earlier opportunities to drive Ferrari. He had a run with SF19 in Bahrain in 2019. He also completed two demos on F2004, which was used by his father Michael.
The off-shoot drivings provide him a chance to establish his understanding of Formula 1 cars. It will increases his learning pace and he will be able to keep up with the requirements.
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The German had driven with Haas at Abu Dhahbi last month. He will soon be shifting to his new 2021 car.
He will return to track on Friday morning for more practice. Callum Illott, his 2020 F2 title contender and Ferrari Driver Academy fellow, will be taking over the drive in afternoon.
“Finally sitting in a car again is a feeling I was missing a lot,” said Schumacher. “I think today has definitely been a positive day at the track.
“We managed to get through the entire programme that we had scheduled without any problem and it was clearly very useful to be able to get through so much mileage at the wheel of a Formula 1 car in view of the coming season that will be starting in about a month and a half with the pre-season testing.
“The SF71H is a car from 2018, but its behaviour on the track and the feelings that it gives to the driver are very similar, both in terms of how it behaves on the track and physical stress to a current car.
“That makes it an excellent base when it comes to preparation for the new season.
“Driving at Fiorano is always great anyway because the track is technical and demanding.
“It’s been a pleasure to meet up once again with the engineers and mechanics I worked with last September, and I can’t wait to get back into the car tomorrow.”
Ferrari will also test IIlott, who will be handling the car for five more days before the team could reach a conclusion.
