F1: How Well Do Driver Development Programmes Work? Especially for the Midfield Runners?

Since although it's All the Rage to have a Junior Team, not everyone can Afford one...

Alfa Romeo (Sauber)

The Sauber Driver who stands out most to Mwah is Felipe Massa, who Kicked Off the Ferrari Driver Academy's role when being "Farmed Out" to Sauber in 2004-05 after spending the '03 F1 season as Ferrari Test Driver,. After Massa had campaigned his Rookie Formula 1 season for Sauber in 2002 alongside Quick Nic' Heidfeld. As Massa was subsequently called up to la Scuderia in '06 to partner DER TERMINATOR', nee Michael Schumacher...

And that was when Sauber was a True Privateer under Peter Sauber's control... Which I suppose they are still technically, albeit Peter's long since departed - along with Thar ever increasing linkage to la Scuderia, nee Ferrari seemingly diminishing that nomenclature to Mwah.

Especially now that Charles Leclerc, a former Ferrari Academy member having a very promising Rookie campaign with Alfa Romeo by Sauber has graduated to Scuderia Ferrari for 2019, effectively swapping seats with Kimi Raikkonen.

As thou Original Iceman' Raikkonen's team-mate this season is another former Ferrari Academy member, Italian Antonio Giovinazzi. The first Italian Formula 1 Pilote since "Trully Scrumptious," aka Jarno Trulli Departed F1 in 2011.

Although Giovinazzi made a most scintillating Debut in Shanghai as then Sauber driver Pascal Wehrlein's substitute in 2017, before finally getting a Fulltime race seat Nod this year at Alfa Romeo Racing.

A New "Super Sub" emerges at Sauber

As the Alfa Romeo Racing Longbow Finance SA owned Sauber Motorsport AG Alliance is somewhat muddled; ARSE-Sumedly only Outdone by the previous Lotus-Lotus, Renault-Renault affair, Eh?

Which includes the Sauber Junior Team run by the Czech Republic's racing Organisation Charouz Racing System, which currently competes in the FIA's "global" ladder system. Most notably in the lower tier FIA Formula 2 & FIA Formula 3 Championships for starters.

And the Charouz name is somewhat familiar, due to the past exploits of Jan Charouz being an F1 Reserve Driver, and now dabbling in Sports Cars? See's more names heading it's various Feeder Series teams than I wish typing!

With a Plethora 'O aspiring F1 Drivers currently on its roster, with the two highest members being the aforementioned Juan Manuel Correa, who's racing career is potentially over? Along with Callum Ilott, with both Drivers competing in FIA Formula 2 for the Sauber Junior Team.

Yet I'm somewhat Cornfuzed, since I thought Ilott was listed as a Ferrari Academy member, who's apparently being "Farmed Out" to Sauber's; Err Alfa Romeo's Junior Team?

Thars' a trio of FIA Formula 3 recruits, along with Formula 4 Pilotes', the most intriguing being named Arthur Leclerc; Hmm?

And some Wee Go Karting lads, along with the Sport's lone Femme fatale Tatiana Calderón, currently designated as Alfa Romeo Racing's Test Driver. but will any advance to a future Formula 1 race seat with thou Alfetti?

Since Scuttlebutt currently suggests that Raikkonen's F1 Drive will be inherited by some bloke named Mick Schumacher in 2021...

Haas F1

This current day American Formula 1 Team, not to be Cornfuzed with the late 1980's Carl Haas Force Lola F1 Team is primarily known as a pseudo Customer Ferrari B-Team', with its controversial usage of Scuderia Bits, it's Wind Tunnel and the requisite Prancing Horse running gear it utilizes.

Currently Haas just has one lone Test Driver listed, being former IndyCar Driver Pietro Fittipaldi. Whilst past Haas Alumni include thee Great Santini', aka Santino Ferrucci, who Wowed in Indy Cars this season at the Minnowesqe Dale Coyne Racing outfit.

McLaren Young Driver programme

Arguably McLaren's greatest ever Junior Driver is simply known here at No fenders as Golden Child, aka Lewis Hamilton, for which must I say anymore?

Currently Brazilian FIA Formula 2 competitor  Sergio Sette Camara is the Wokking based Squad's lone "Development" Driver.

As a few of its former Young Drivers Alumni include the likes of Guido-the-Dutchman', aka Giedo van der Garde, Kevin Bacon' Magnussen, Jack "Not Bloody Nige!" Harvey, Alexander Albon and Stoffel Vandoorne.

Whilst Lando Norris is the latest graduate to race for McLaren in Formula 1 after having finished runner-up to George Russell in last year's FIA Formula 2 Championship.

Williams F1

Currently, a la past McLaren prodigy's, Team Willy's biggest Name on the Formula 1 Grid is former William F1 Finnish Driver known here in Nofendersville as Bottas, The Name is Valtteri Bottas... Cue the 007 Theme Musak'; Hya!

 Although I must confess, I've cooled mightily upon Valtteri who seems destined to only ever be a No. 2 Driver, Eh? Since even after his most recent victory at Suzuka, all I could say was Valtteri Who?

F1: The Name is Bottas, Valtteri Bottas...

 Whilst I've got zero clue on whether or not Team Willys' got any Junior Team members right now? Which surely is thou least of Thar Problemas! Especially with its current, Uber recalcitrant FW42 mount.

MIA...

Yeah,  I know I left out the Force India; Err Racing Point F1 Team, but simply have No clued what Thar doing in this Arena, especially since one could say they're in a rebuilding mode right now...

And that's what I currently know for the various Formula 1 Junior Team Schemes Folks! Which for some strange reason conjures up an 'Ol favourite song of MINE. Presumably since I was listening to another F1 Hopeful named Jack, Not Chet Achey-Breaky' Atkins; Hya! Aitken filling time in the Sky Sports Commentary Booth for Friday's second F1 Free Practice session at Suzuka...

VIDEO: Little River Band - It's A Long Way There Song

F1: How Well Do Driver Development Programmes Work?

As do they really Give 'em Wings? And what happens when they Fly to Close to the Sun?

Red Bull Junior Team

Currently eight Formula 1 Drivers have made it all the way thru the Junior Team ranks to Red Bull Racing, which Claudio' denoted many Moons ago as the B-I-G BULLZ', albeit one's since been Demoted this season back to thou 'lil bulls, aka Scuderia Toro Rosso.

With a further six Junior members having driven for thou Toro Rosso Hondre' B-Team, which has now seen its second seat swapping with former Red Bull F1 Drivers returning to its ranks. Not to mention that only Carlos Sainz, Jr. remains in Formula 1 today.

As the Junior Team scheme began in Europe Wayback in Gory 2001! Although I first learned 'bout it when 'Ol Hollywood', aka Danny Sullivan led Red Bull's American Driver Search, with Scotty thee Goose' Speed ultimately landing in f1 in '06.

While it's first Formula 1 graduate was the long forgotten Christian Klien, joining Jaguar in 2004; Y'all remember him?

Klien rejects Red Bull offer

Other Red Bull graduates were Vitantonio Liuzzi and Daniil Kvyat, who's led a most charmed life under Red Bull's employ, now on his third stint.

Whilst the three most successful Junior Team members to Date are 'lil syd Viddle, aka Sebastian Vettel, Danny Ric', nee Daniel Ricciardo and Maximus Hothead', aka Max Verstappen, who've all won F1 races. With Vettel being the only World Champion, which he claimed All Four of his F1 World Championships with.

Meanwhile, current Toro Rosso drivers Pierre Gasley is licking his wounds after being sent back down to thou 'lil bulls alongside Kvyat at Mid Season's Break, in favour of Toro Rosso F1 rookie Alexander Albon being promoted to Red Bull as Verstappen's newest Junior Birdman'; Err team-mate.

Yet how stable will both of the Red Bull Driver line-ups remain in 2020? Since Red Bull Desperately needs to Shore Up its No. 2 seat alongside Verstappen in order to better compete in the coveted Formula 1 Constructors Championship.

which means possibly a non Red Bull Junior Member will partner Verstappen next year?

Hmm, Can Yuhs Say Thee Incredible Hulkster', nee Nico Hulkenberg? which would ARSE-Sumedly see Albon return to Toro Rosso and Monsieur Gasley being thrown out when Der Helmut' (Marco) wants some more Hot water for his Bubble bath; Yo Rubber duckies', better look Out!

Although Der Helmut' has apparently Ruled Out Hulkenberg's services, who now seems that the second Alfa Romeo Racing seat is his only F1 chance to remain on the Grid in 2020. And I'd Hazard guessing that Albon will retain his Red Bull drive alongside Verstappen next year...

Currently, the Highest Profile Junior Team member arguably is IndyCar's Pato O'Ward, who's Disappeared to Japan's Super Formula series, along with ex-DTM Champion Lucas Auer, nephew of some Austrian ex-Formula 1 Driver named Gerhard Berger.

While Japan's Yuki Tsunoda, racing in this year's FIA Formula 3 Championship has just won his first F3 race at Monza in the F3 weekend Sprint Race. and naturally aims to drive for the Honda powered F1 Team one day.

Ferrari Driver Academy

Thou Prancing Horse's Driver Academy reportedly began in '09 and was born out of the Scuderia's previous endeavour with loaning out Felipe Massa to Sauber for three years before calling him up to partner some Chap named Michael Schumacher at Ferrari in 2006.

As other Ferrari Academy Drivers include the late Jules Bianchi and Sergio Perez, before the latter joined McLaren in 2013. With the latest member to graduate to Formula 1 being Charles Leclerc, who's now become the first Academy member to Drive for la Scuderia.

As this year's Bumper Crop of Prancing Horse Junior Drivers is Headlined by somebody named Mick Schumacher. Along with the likes of Giuliano Alesi, son of another former Ferrari Pilote' named Jean Alesi.

Renault Sport Academy

Due to its multiple changes of Ownership, this Driver Development Scheme has had a magnitude 'O names, beginning life as the RF1 Driver Programme and then Renault Driver Development. Not to mention it's multiple iterations of various Lotus Renault entities .With a trio of its Debutante 2002 Class becoming Formula 1 Drivers, i.e.; Heikki Kovalainen, Robert Kubica and Tiago Monteiro.

Interestingly, three Alumni have scored one Grands Prix victory apiece, with Kovalainen winning the 2008 Hungarian Grand Prix at McLaren. Kubica capturing the '08 Canadian GP for BMW Sauber, and Pastor Maldonado at Team Willy', claiming Williams F1 latest Grands Prix W' at Barcelona six years ago, upon winning the 2013 Spanish Grand Prix from Pole position.

Other past Renault Driver Academy members to reach Thee Big League, aka F1 include Jerome d'Ambrosio, Lucas di Grassi and Romain Grosjean.

While a few other members of notoriety include Ben Hanley, now an aspiring IndyCar Driver racing for the fledgling DragonSpeed racing team. Along with former IndyCar racer Ho-Pin Tung.

While sadly, two of its former Alumni have seen tragedy in their respective careers. As FIA Formula 2 Driver Anthoine Hubert was Killed in the Formula 2 Feature race at Spa Francorchamps this year.

And Juan Manuel Correa, appointed as an Alfa Romeo Racing Development Driver this year - who Unintentionally Collided with Hubert, has emerged from being placed in a medically induced Coma to Aid in his recovery from multiple crash injuries suffered in his Head-on Shunt. Was last known to be fighting to keep his right foot from amputation!

Correa Uncertain of 100% Recovery from his Spa incident

Whilst le Reggie' Aims to further inspire Hopeful Junior Drivers by announcing intentions to promote one into F1...

Renault Hopes to Promote Junior Driver into F1 by 2021

Mercedes Junior Team

Mercedes Benz hasn't had a whopping number of recruits to its Junior Team, with just three names on its books prior to 2019. Beginning with Pascal Wehrlein in 2014. Followed by Esteban Ocon the following year, and then George Russell, who is the programme's latest member to graduate to F1 and is still part of the Mercedes "Family."

As Russell won last year's FIA Formula 2 Championship for ART Grand Prix, ahead of Lando Norris and Alexander Albon - before graduating to Formula 1 in the Woefully Underperforming Williams F1 outfit this season.

With the most recent appointees being a triplet of Unknown Drivers currently toiling in Go Karts and Formula 4. While Esteban Ocon apparently is No longer a Mercedes Junior member upon moving to Renault for 2020, replacing the aforementioned Hulkenberg alongside Danny ric'...

For the Conclusion of this ever Mushrooming No Fenders tome, see; F1: How Well Do Driver Development Programmes Work? Especially for the Midfield Runners?

Will Esteban Ocon become Another of F1's Lost Generations?

Esteban Ocon will return "Home" for the 2020 Formula 1 season, with le Reggie'. (Image Source: thecheckeredflag.co.uk)

"You know how that rabbit feels
Going under your speeding wheels
Bright images flashing by
Like windshields towards a fly
Frozen in the fatal climb
But the wheels of time
Just pass you by

It slips between your hands like water
This living in real time
A dizzying lifetime
Reeling by on celluloid..."

VIDEO: Rush's Between the Wheels - Song

Author's Note

Like many stories languishing like broken pieces of scattered Driftwood here upon thoust Isle 'O Nofendersville. This story was originally "Penned" in the Fall of 2018, but simply wasn't finished. And therefore is slightly dated, but still relevant concerning today's Formula One's Stairway Development Schemes.

whilst surely Y'all know that Monsieur Ocon will return to thoust Pinnacle 'O Motorsports, nee Formula 1 triumphantly next year for le Reggie', alongside Danny ric', Wee-Wee...

Esteban Ocon returns to Formula 1 with Multi-year Renault Deal, replaces Hulkenberg for 2020

Perhaps you've heard All of the Kerfuffle over the current plight of Mercedes Junior Team Driver member Esteban Ocon, who's apparently likely being locked-out of a Formula 1 race seat next year, due to his backing by Mercedes.

As Ocon's a highly rated Up 'N Comer; Err rising F1 Star who Mercedes wishes to keep racing in Formula 1 in preparations for when or if his services are required at the Silver Arrows as one of its future race Pilotes'.

But current Scuttlebutt suggests that it's looking unlikely the French Young Gun will land the lone remaining Team Willy' seat, the last vacancy for the 2019 Grid. As apparently Williams F1 is seeking another "Pay Driver" to help fill Thar coffers upon Martini's exodus.

Yet Mercedes is probably partially keen upon keeping Ocon active in Formula 1 since he was one of the few drivers able to go toe-to-toe with the overly ballyhooed Max Dutchboy' Verstappen during their formative years.

As Ocon won the 2014 FIA Formula 3 Euroseries Championship with nine wins vs. Verstappen finishing third overall that season. Whilst I'd ARSE-Sume that Carlos Sainz, Jnr, Lance Stroll, Charles Leclerc and Stoffel Vandoorne are part of this "Brat Pack" youth generation hoping to usurp the current Top Bananas, i.e.; 'lil syd Viddle, nee Sebastian Vettel and Golden Child, aka Lewis Hamilton.

Insight: Esteban Ocon's previous Two Spells at Renault

Although we know that Vandoorne's been tossed aside by McLaren in favour of it's far younger Rising Star Lando Norris, with the Belgian having sought refuge in the Formula E Series instead...

Ironically, Mercedes two current F1 Drivers are graduates of other teams past Development programmes, for which we'll soon discover, a plum Junior Driver assignment doesn't necessarily automatically Punch your Ticket for the Big Dance, nee thou Pinnacle of Motorsports, aka Formula 1. Nor long-term employment Thar'.

As what's that Old Motor Racing saying? Oh Yeah, "You're Only as Good as Your last race!"

Current F1 Driver Development programmes

Although unofficial, this is what I could gleam from the All Knowing "Intrawoods," nee internetz' regarding Formula 1 Teams currently using some sort of Driver Development scheme, whilst not all ten current F1 Teams are currently doing so.

Presumably the most well known is the Red Bull Junior Team, which feeds both Red Bull and Scuderia Toro Rosso at a prodigious rate! Next best known is the Ferrari Driver Academy, which is pre-dated by the Renault sport Academy, followed by the McLaren Young Driver program

Mercedes Junior Team arrived on-scene relatively late to this "Farm system" tradition, albeit they didn't return as a Formula One Constructor until 2010. While Force India has, or had a Junior Team? And lastly, Ditto for Team Willy', aka Williams F1, which I don't think has anyone presently on its Driver Development rolls?

And I couldn't find anything "technically" for either Sauber or Haas, which isn't exactly true, especially since both are linked with Ferrari unofficially. As I know I wrote about current F2 and IndyCar Driver Santino Ferrucci being one of Haas's "Development" Drivers last year.

Meanwhile it's old news that current Alfa Romeo X Sauber Young Gun Charles Leclerc's graduating to Ferrari next season in a seat swap with Kimi thee "Iceman" Raikkonen.

Yet for Mwah, I tend to think of Driver Development from thou 'Ol Dayzes', when Test Drivers actually got to test year round, with some making quite a comfortable living this way. As the names Gary Paffett, Alexander Wurz, Pedro de la rosa and Olivier Panis come to mind. While others like Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa were groomed for future F1 racing careers...

To continue reading, see; F1: How Well Do Driver Development Programmes Work?

Partial Song lyrics from: Rush

"Thee Unofficial No Fenders House Band"

Song: Between the Wheels

Album: Grace Under Pressure

Year: 1984