Maranello, 7 November – Six drivers chosen by the Ferrari Driver Academy in conjunction with the CSAI and the Federation school at Vallelunga underwent medicals today at the Institute of Sports Medecine and Science run by CONI at Acqua Acetosa. The tests are normally used for Olympic athletes. The initiative, which had valuable support from Medex, Scuderia Ferrari’s medical partner, involved young drivers who had excelled in this year’s Formula Abarth European Series and the CSAI karting championships. The programme continues tomorrow with lessons and tests at the simulator, while on Wednesday and Thursday the drivers will be on track at Vallelunga at the wheel of a Formula Abarth and an F3 car.

This programme is part of the Ferrari Academy’s ongoing work in bringing on young drivers, just the latest step aimed at the lower formulae in order to have a positive impact on the working methods these youngsters can use when tackling their respective championships.

The drivers are Russia’s Sergey Sirotkin, Switzerland’s Patrick Niederhauser and Spain’s Gerard Barrabeig from Formula Abarth and three Italian karting youngsters, Alessio Santilli, Antonio Fuoco and Alberto De Folco. They all underwent tests under the supervision of Prof. Carlo Tranquilli, the director of the institute and two Medex representatives, Prof. Fredrick Fernando and Alessandro Biffi.

Scuderia Ferrari which is already involved in scientific research linked to materials development with the Italian National Olympic Committee, chose the Acqua Acetosa centre for these medical tests involving the Ferrari Driver Academy students.