Ferrari looking to add female drivers to academy

The Ferrari Driver Academy was set up in 2009 with Jules Bianchi being the first to sign on, followed by the likes of Sergio Perez, Lance Stroll and Charles Leclerc as well as many others over the years.
 
But the Scuderia are expanding the amount of drivers they have alongside Schumacher and Alesi driving in Formula 2 and their Esports team including pro Series winner David Tonizza, while Formula 1 hasn’t seen a female driver start a race since 1976.
 
“We are increasing the number of drivers of the Ferrari Driver Academy next year,” Binotto said to reporters at the Maranello factory this week. 

“A few other drivers will join. I’m not in the position to tell you how many and who, but it’s something on which we are working very hard.

“The Academy also looks for women in the future — women should be part of the Ferrari Driver Academy.

“That’s something on which we are working right now to make sure that it may happen very soon.”

Schumacher, son of legend Michael Schumacher will be in his second season of F2 in 2020, alongside other FDA drivers Alesi, Robert Schartzman, Callum Ilott and Marcus Armstrong.

Binotto believes he has the potential to follow his father’s path in F1.

“I think that next season will be key for him to understand how much he’s progressing,” he said.

“We are expecting much from the next year because he will have one season of experience and we are pretty sure he’s a good candidate for F1 in the future. Will he be a candidate for the Ferrari either in the future? It’s really too early. 

“But again, the aim of the FDA is to find the next talent for Ferrari and he is part of the FDA, because finally, we believe he’s got the talent to stay in this group.”