Along with the break in the Formula 1 championship, a wave of transfers of pilots and transfer rumors began. Journalists are talking about the possible departure of the pilot with the most famous racing name, Mick Schumacher, from Haas. A lot of applicants have already gathered for a place that has not yet become vacant, one of them is a pilot from Russia, Robert Shvartsman.

Haas barely got rid of the Russian pilot

Although the season in Formula 1 has not yet ended, Nikita Mazepin is without a doubt his main loser. The son of a Russian oligarch was about to start his second year with Haas when the American team withdrew their pilot and sponsorship from Uralkali.

Nikita Mazepin / Photo: © Dan Istitene / Staff / Getty Images Sport / Gettyimages.ru

Mazepin was ready to make concessions, for example, to sign a declaration prepared by the International Automobile Federation (FIA), which mainly affects political issues. But Haas, due to reputational risks, nevertheless decided to abandon the Russian pilot and, two weeks before the start of the championship, offered a contract to his former racer Kevin Magnussen.

Now Mazepin is suing Haas over unpaid wages and defending the interests of athletes affected by the sanctions. The path to Formula 1 is now unequivocally closed to him.

Was a Russian racer, became an Israeli

But this does not mean that it is closed to all Russian riders. The FIA ​​did not remove them from the competition, obliging them only to compete under a neutral flag and sign a political declaration. Many, for example, Daniil Kvyat, who was going to compete in the endurance championship as part of the G-Drive team, refused to do this, blocking the path to this series for himself. However, later the whole team refused to participate in it.

But 22-year-old Robert Schwartzman, a Russian Formula 2 driver, decided to go the other way. Instead of a Russian license, he began performing under an Israeli one, since he had dual citizenship since childhood. Thus, he avoided any FIA sanctions, could not sign any declarations, but officially ceased to be considered a Russian pilot. Now, the prospects for serious career growth have finally loomed before him, however, they have nothing to do with the change of citizenship.

Where to grow Shvartsman?

Schwartzman is an experienced pilot who makes progressive movements towards Formula 1. In 2019, he won the championship in Formula 3, last year he became second in Formula 2 after Oscar Piastri, who now cannot be shared by two teams of “royal” races – Alpin and McLaren .

Robert Schwartzman / Photo: © James Gasperotti / Global Look Press

Last winter, at the youth tests, Schwartzman was driving a Haas and a Ferrari, satisfying the Italian bosses with his work. And in 2022, he officially became a test driver for the Scuderia and will soon take part in Friday practices at two stages of the Grand Prix.

All this speaks of the confidence in him on the part of Ferrari. But where can he grow? Schwartzman will not get into the basis of F-1 with multi-year contracts of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz. But, fortunately for him, this is not the only team where Schwartzman can get under the patronage of Ferrari.

Getting into F1 will be lucky

For several years, the Scuderia has partnered with Haas and can safely recommend its pilots to the Americans. Schwartzman has a chance to cling to Formula 1, but too many factors must coincide: firstly, rumors that appeared a few days ago that Haas are in no hurry to renew Mick Schumacher will be confirmed. According to insiders, Ferrari no longer sees great potential in the German with a high-profile surname. At the same time, Red Bull consultant Helmut Marko feels sympathy for the driver, who can free him a place in Alpha Tauri. All this can lead to the fact that Schumacher will vacate his place in the American “stable”.

Photo: © Dppi / Florent Gooden / Keystone Press Agency / Global Look Press

Secondly, Haas should seriously consider Schwartzman. After the story with Mazepin, the team is not eager to sign Russian riders, even if they are under the citizenship of another country.

Thirdly, in addition to his own professionalism, Schwartzman should also bring some financial benefits, especially when it comes to a team with a modest budget. According to Russian commentator Alexei Popov, this is the main reason why Schwartzman’s entry into the “royal” races is unlikely.

“I’ll do anything to get my chance”

Everything looks so that Schwartzman’s chances look real on paper, but in practice they are very small. Along with him, the former Williams driver Antonio Giovinazzi, who now competes in Formula E, and Daniel Ricciardo, whose contract with McLaren will most likely be bought out, have a chance to take the place of Schumacher.

Daniel Ricciardo / Photo: © Dan Mullan / Staff / Getty Images Sport / Gettyimages.ru

But neither of these two, with their rather rich experience of playing in F-1, will be a racer for the future, as Schwartzman would be. This clearly speaks in favor of the Russian-Israeli pilot, especially given the fact that Ferrari will have the final say on the choice.

He himself is full of desire to fight for a place in the main racing series:

“My main goal is to get into Formula 1, and I will do everything possible to get my chance,” Schwartzman said in an interview with motorsport.com. – And then we will make a decision together with Ferrari, but now it is too early to talk about it. Let’s see. Of course, I hope that the work I have done will help in this.