Shwartzman to kick off four-day Ferrari F1 test at Fiorano 

Following what has become something of a tradition in recent years, Ferrari will hit the track in January for some early running prior to the start of the new season. 

Robert Shwartzman, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz will each take it in turns to get behind the wheel of Ferrari’s 2021 car, the SF21, over the course of this week’s running. 

The four-day test is aimed at giving the drivers, engineers and mechanics a chance to get back up to speed by practicing the normal procedures of a grand prix event at a track. 

Tuesday’s test will mark Shwartzman’s first outing in his new role of Ferrari test driver. The Russian, who will no longer race in Formula 2, will hand over to Leclerc and Sainz on Wednesday and Thursday, before returning to the cockpit on Friday to conclude Ferrari's programme. 

All three drivers most recently drove the SF21 during post-season testing in Abu Dhabi last month, with Shwartzman covering a total of 73 laps of the Yas Marina Circuit. 

Ferrari is set to reveal its 2022 challenger - internally known as project code number 674 - at a launch event on February 17, ahead of the first pre-season test which takes place between February 23-25 at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Spain. 

A second three-day test follows in Bahrain on March 10-12, before the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix on March 20.