Scuderia Ferrari is preparing all its resources for the upcoming season: will the reserve seat go to Giovinazzi and Leclerc?
With the 2024 Formula 1 season nearing its conclusion, the calendar is set for a thrilling finale with three unmissable events: Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi, with the Constructors’ Championship still on the line. While Ferrari still has plenty to fight for on track, behind-the-scenes work for 2025 has been underway for quite some time.
There’s no shortage of news in Maranello: the arrival of Sir Lewis Hamilton marks one of the most sensational moves in recent years. However, the seven-time World Champion will have to wait until January to officially join the Ferrari team, as no exceptions will be made for the Abu Dhabi tests. Carlos Sainz, on the other hand, will be driving for Williams.
Fuoco-Leclerc, Abu Dhabi Showdown
The post-season Abu Dhabi tests will provide an intriguing conclusion to the season: Antonio Fuoco and Arthur Leclerc are the frontrunners to take the wheel of the SF-24 on December 10, after the lights go out on the season. For Charles Leclerc’s younger brother, this could also be a stepping stone to running in FP1 sessions in place of Sainz, potentially creating the first-ever Monegasque driver pairing in Formula 1 history.
This is a critical opportunity for Arthur, who is looking to solidify his position as a reserve driver for the upcoming season. According to some reports, he is currently the favorite for the role and is likely to share these duties with Antonio Giovinazzi, who will maintain his ties with Maranello, recently strengthened by his contract renewal in the WEC.
Zhou, No Hope for 2025?
One driver who appears completely out of the picture is Guanyu Zhou. The Chinese driver seems unlikely to secure a spot either at Ferrari or on the 2025 grid, as he is expected to be replaced by Gabriel Bortoleto. The only faint hope for Zhou lies in the rare scenario where both Leclerc Jr. and Giovinazzi are unavailable due to commitments outside F1.
Photo: Scuderia Ferrari HP