Ferrari signs Bianchi long-term
December 2, 2009 by Negative Camber
Filed under People & Events, Top Story
Ferrari has signed a long-term contract with French Formula 3 Euros series driver Jules Bianchi. While it is unclear as to how long the contract is, it seems the Frenchman, managed by Nicola Todt, is pleased with the outcome telling Autosport:
“We are very happy to do this long-term deal, which was completed a short time ago,” Bianchi’s manager Nicolas Todt told AUTOSPORT.
“His role is undefined for the moment, but from now on, he will be at Ferrari’s disposal. His first Ferrari drive is obviously at this young driver test.”
Ferrari is yet to announce its test and reserve driver for 2010, although it has Giancarlo Fisichella, Luca Badoer and Marc Gene under contract in addition to its race drivers Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso.
“I am more than happy,” said Bianchi, whose race programme next year will be in the GP2 Series with multiple champion team ART. “It is very difficult to explain how I feel, but it is something very special.
“I know this is the first step on a journey that could turn out very nicely, but I’m equally aware that there is still a long way to go to Formula 1.”
Bianchi is testing for Ferrari this week at Jerez and has apparently made an impression. The interesting thing is just what he will be doing for Ferrari. With a test driver lineup of Fisichella, Badoer, Gene and Bianchi, one has to wonder what exactly Ferrari are doing as there is no in-season testing. The role of the test driver has been neutered since the beginning of 2009.
If ou look at Ferrari’s history, they generally haven’t been strong players in the driver development market. They tend to let other teams do all the development procedures, pay for damaged cars and learn the hard lessons and then lure the driver to Ferrari with their reputation and prestige. They tend to focused on the car and buy the top drivers.
But in the quite light of morning, perhaps Ferrari understand that there may be an opening. Perhaps 2009 taught them that Badoer, Fisicehlla and Gene are not an option for them as a stand-in driver or that all three are getting older. One has to assume their eye is on Sebastian Vettel but perhaps they see something in Bianchi that makes sense. It’s an odd move to be sure but Ferrari rarely do much that doesn’t make sense for the team.
Perhaps Bianchi is an option for current driver Felipe Massa’s seat at the end of his contract? Fisichella, Badoer nor Gene would be a stop gap measure to hold the seat until they could get Vettel 2012. Maybe they are going to reduce their testing driver stable and want a younger development driver who they can build on. Either way, it’s a bit odd.
Loading ...
I think it’s a good move. On this first test day he showed he had good speed compared to the other test drivers in better cars, and we all know this years Ferrari could only be driven by Kimi or Massa and the car was a dog in the second half.
Another Horse in Ferrari Stable now…
I hope he becomes Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari in Future and not Gary Paffett ;-)
On side note – I wonder what kind of clout Nicholas Todt has in Ferrari management. It was one thing when his Father was the team principle, but now he has two clients in one team, one full time driver and another on bench. For those in power who recently Banned Flamboyo Briatore and raised question of conflict of interest of his dual role as driver manager and team principle. I wonder nobody has raised eyebrows on Nicholas being son of FIA chief, being team manager in FIA approved series(s) and Driver Manager supplying drivers to one of main teams in F1.
With that side note I must have beat the record of Todd’s Podcast signoff section :P
Yeah, this thwarts my assertion that Jean and Luca are not on best of terms. If that were the case I assume they’d show Nicolas the door.
Maybe Nicholas has modelled himself on George Castanza, who turns up at work even when fired and makes it to his desk even when they barr his office :D
Yes, because the one thing ferrari is lacking right now is drivers.
I fully expect them to go ahead and sign all the others they had test too.
How many accidents a year is Ferrari planning for? I realise they were caught a bit short this year having to throw Luca in there from out of the blue… but surely 2 race drivers and 4 test drivers is pushing things a little far. Wouldn’t be surprised at this point if they offered Kimi a little extra to be a backup test driver lest they be left with no option if something happens to the other 6 – they’re already paying him anyway!!
There is the inevitable concept that they signed him to keep him off the market. Just saying…
You wrote “It’s an odd move to be sure”. I think you meant “It’s an odd move FOR SURE.” :)
Seriously though, what are Ferrari playing at? How many drivers do they need on the books? I think you could be right about them signing him to keep others from signing him. It’s a shame for the lad, but as W4E alluded to earlier, I’d be more surprised to see him become a Hamilton than to see him become a Paffitt…
It has to be said it could be a good move signin now a driver who could remake Hulkemberg, Hamilton and Rosberg example.
Ferrari has many test drivers but they’re too old to be really competitive, so it’s right thinkin’ at the future..
Next year, if Bianchi succed in ART gp2 could be too late.
I expect, if things goes on well, he could remake Massa career, with a test role, and then a satellite team (sauber) if he’s enough talented..
i’ve preferred they sign an italian, Bortolotti but he has still many things to show