Ferrari has confirmed that it is planning to mould Sauber into its junior team. This way Sauber could become a trial ground for their younger drivers.
Sauber had recently decided to scrap its plans to switch to Honda engines and instead continue its long-standing arrangement with Ferrari. They have been in a conversation about creating an actual partnership beyond being an engine supplier.
Frederic Vasseur, Team boss for Sauber made a suggestion that the drivers could be a part of the discussion. This is significant since Ferrari is eager to find a spot for its young drivers Antonio Giovinazzi and Charles Leclerc.
Ferrari’s president also thinks it is necessary for his team to ensure their young drivers get F1 race experience. When he was asked if this meant Sauber could be the launchpad for the junior drivers, he said “It is an excellent idea and something we are working on.
“We need space because we have a couple of young drivers that are exceptional. We need to find a place to lay the foundations for the Scuderia Ferrari of tomorrow.”
Marchionne also admitted that Ferrari wants to help more teams in the future given that FIA is encouraging more teams to join the F1 racing grid.
“Maurizio [Arrivabene] has worked hard in recent months,” Marchionne said. “Going forward we will expand the number of customer teams.
“Both with Liberty Media with the FIA, we have made a commitment to give support to the teams that are going to come. The more there are, the better for us.”
