In a bold strategic move, Ferrari has shaken up its 2025 Formula 1 season by employing not one, but two test drivers. This surprising decision sees Antonio Giovinazzi and Zhou Guanyu thrust into the limelight, a move spurred primarily by scheduling clashes.
Fred Vasseur, the Team Principal, shed light on this unconventional choice, pointing to the commitments of their drivers during race weekends. Key among these obligations is Giovinazzi’s participation in the globally renowned World Endurance Championship (WEC) with the Ferrari 499P. This means the Italian driver will be off the grid for four Formula 1 weekends throughout the season.
Ferrari’s need for more hands on deck becomes apparent when you consider the potential gaps in their lineup. While they do have other reserve drivers, like Dino Beganovic who recently showed his mettle in Barcelona, the team requires someone with more F1 experience to step in when necessary. This is where Zhou Guanyu comes in.
Having previously worked with Vasseur during his stint at Alfa Romeo, Zhou brings to the table three years of hands-on F1 experience and an intimate understanding of the sport’s intricate mechanics. Vasseur indicated that these attributes were instrumental in his decision to rope in Zhou.
This emphasis on having more than one backup driver was underlined last season when an emergency appendectomy sidelined Carlos Sainz during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Consequently, Ferrari had to call upon Oliver Bearman, who nonetheless made his mark by scoring points on his debut.
Beyond just filling in for main drivers when circumstances demand, reserve drivers also play a pivotal role in testing and offering valuable feedback through comprehensive simulator work. Their insights help fine-tune the car’s performance across the season, especially when the main drivers are occupied elsewhere.
興味深いことに、フェラーリのデュアルテストドライバー戦略は完全にユニークではありませんが、確かに一般的なものから逸脱しています。レッドブルやレーシングブルズなどの他のチームは共有テストドライバーを採用しており、アルピーヌはさらに一歩進んで、印象的な4人のリザーブドライバーのロスターを持っています。それに対して、ほとんどのチームは通常、バックアップ要件のために単独のテストドライバー、またはせいぜいペアに依存しています。
2025年シーズンが始まる中、フェラーリがジョウ・グァンユを迎え入れる決定は、フォーミュラ1の速いペースで常に変化する世界における適応性と準備の重要性を強調しています。この戦略的な動きがスカデリアに必要な優位性をもたらすのでしょうか？それは時間が教えてくれるでしょう。
