Shwartzman Eager to “Expand Boundaries” With GT3 Drive

Ferrari Formula 1 reserve driver Robert Shwartzman is hoping to “expand” his racing knowledge by competing in Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Endurance Cup this year.

Shwartzman, who finished second to Oscar Piastri in the 2021 FIA Formula 2 standings, placed eighth on his car racing debut at Monza last weekend sharing the No. 51 AF Corse Ferrari 296 GT3 with Alessio Rovera and Nicklas Nielsen.

The 22-year-old Russian-Israeli driver told Sportscar365 that he is aiming to explore a “different kind of racing” that could inform his future career options.

Recalling how the GTWC Europe seat emerged, he said: “We had a discussion about what we’re going to do for the future.

“My main priority is to get the Formula 1 seat. That’s why we’re working really hard this year to do the job well in F1. But at the same time, I’m also learning and preparing myself in endurance because another part of my dream is the Hypercar.

“I’m looking forward to that, and I think GT was the best option to get to know how endurance racing works and to prepare myself in case I get the chance and opportunity with the same team, same people and same environment.”

Shwartzman has also looked beyond Ferrari to scout other potential career opportunities.

In January, he tested a Chip Ganassi Racing IndyCar at Sebring and took part in Monday’s Formula E rookie test at Berlin Tempelhof with the DS Penske team.

“Last year it was very difficult sitting at home and working on the sim,” said Shwartzman, who didn’t race in 2022 but undertook Ferrari F1 testing duties.

“It was useful, but it was difficult mentally to keep going. But now finally I start to get more driving and I’m really looking forward to it.

“I’m open to everything and I want to be ready for everything in case there is a call.”

Shwartzman is not the first Ferrari F1 test driver to be placed in the manufacturer’s GTWC Europe program.

In 2021, Callum Ilott drove for the factory-supported Iron Lynx team in Endurance Cup and also formed part of the crew that finished third in GTE-Am at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The British driver went on to join the NTT IndyCar Series last year.

However, Shwartzman doesn’t know if his GT3 drive will also be a one-year deal.

“I’m not looking at anything like one year or anything,” he explained.

“My target is to be fully prepared for any opportunity there is. Maybe they call me for F1 and say they have a seat, and I’m ready and down.

“If they called me and said they’ll put me in a Hypercar – which could also be a possibility, I don’t know – I also want to be 100 percent ready so I don’t put the team down.

“At this stage, I don’t have a clear focus on [one thing] and nothing else exists. For me, generally, I just want to expand my boundaries in the sense of knowledge of cars, how they behave and the series.

“Whenever there is a good opportunity, I will be ready. That’s the only thing I’m looking for.”

Shwartzman appears to have enjoyed his initial exploration of the GT3 platform, which included participation in the official pre-season test at Paul Ricard last month.

His program in the Endurance Cup will include the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa.

“I’ve never driven a car with ABS and traction control, and that amount of weight,” Shwartzman said of the new Ferrari 296 GT3.

“All the cars I’ve driven are light and with the main approach on aero. Now it’s a bit of a different driving style in how you can push and control it.

“It’s a really fun car – I honestly did not expect it to be so fun. It’s fun because you can challenge it and feel how the car behaves. It’s fun to approach the curbs quite nicely.

“In formula [racing] you can’t touch them, but now you can get friendly and use them finally. And there are a lot of cars and a lot of fighting and battling. It’s interesting.”