The son of the seven-time world champion can make his debut at the next tests in Bahrain, first in the C38, and then, during the seasonal tests in Barcelona, transfer to the SF90. But besides him, newcomers are also expected to perform in other Formula 1 teams.
The events surrounding Mick Schumacher's possible royal races debut are getting the most attention, but there are still a few young men who will take part in the tests of the 2019 season for the first time. In previous seasons, rookie tests began after the Spanish Grand Prix, in the first of two official tests during the season. In 2019, tests in Barcelona will be final, while the first will be held in Bahrain after the second Grand Prix of the season.
For this reason, the program change was predictable, and already at the tests in Barcelona we talked about who would come to Sakhir in the first two days of testing. According to the regulations, teams can include a pilot who has taken part in no more than two Grand Prix, half of the test days, or two of the four days scheduled between Bahrain and Spain. Otherwise, teams are free to schedule tests as they please.
Mick Schumacher is actually the only youngster in Ferrari's field of vision who can compete in the rookie test. His recent entry into the Ferrari Academy confirmed that he will indeed have two test days on the track in the SF90. But Scuderia is not Mick's only Formula 1 opportunity. The son of the great German champion appears to have been selected as Alfa Romeo's debutant for the first tests in Bahrain. In this case, he will have a chance to get acquainted with the Formula 1 car without the excessive attention from journalists, which will inevitably accompany him on the day when he gets behind the wheel of a Ferrari.
The Scuderia in Barcelona will be one of the teams that will have one day for the Pirelli tests, which the Milan firm insisted on having their own car. Since Monmelo will have two cars instead of one, it is likely that the second will be provided by Schumacher, who will join Vettel or Leclair in a Pirelli car. The absence of an alternative candidate in Alfa Romeo also testifies to the high probability of this hypothesis being realized. Unless the team decides to give one of two days to Callum Ilott, who just joined the Sauber youth team, but this assumption at this point does not seem very realistic.
The 19-year-old Briton will compete in the Japanese Super Formula in 2019 to earn the points that are so lacking to obtain the desired super license. The path to Formula 1 is open for him, he can take part in tests for beginners with Toro Rosso and Red Bull. If the schedule does not allow Tiktem to take advantage of the four available days, it is possible that Toro Rosso could replace him with 18-year-old Estonian Juri Vips, or alternatively Sean Gelael.
But at Mercedes, Mercedes has prepared a test program with a 2017 car for Nikita Mazepin, and after George Russell came to the royal races, the team has no young candidates who can debut in Formula 1. For this reason, Mazepin can be chosen for tests, despite his absence from the Mercedes youth program.
There will be no changes in Haas (Pietro Fittipaldi has already taken part in tests in Barcelona). A similar situation in McLaren, in which Sergio Sette Camara will perform.
Renault has a tough choice. Zhou Guangyu of China, a former Ferrari Academy driver, is doing his best for his Formula 1 debut. However, the final decision will be made on the basis of the first results in Formula 2, where, in addition to the Chinese driver, there will also be the 2018 GP3 series champion Antoine Hubert. In addition, Russian Artem Markelov is always waiting on the bench.
There should be no surprises at Williams, as Nicolas Latifi is always on the lookout after being forced to withdraw from tests in Barcelona due to lack of seats in the mono series in 2019. If the team needs a spare pilot, then everything is clear with the candidate - this is Esteban Ocon. But with regard to the newcomer, so far, everyone is silent.
