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MILESTONE: Ferrari sign 14-year-old Australian to academy

Sports

By Reuters | Dec 09, 2020

**Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany, front, and Racing Point driver Sergio Perez of Mexico in action during Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix in Sakhir, Bahrain, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020.** [Giuseppe Cacace, Pool via AP]

Ferrari have signed 14-year-old Australian James Wharton to their young driver academy with a drive-in Formula Four on offer.

He will have to wait until he turns 15 however, the minimum age for the category.

The Daniel Ricciardo fan from Bundoora, Victoria, won the Ferrari Academy's Scouting World Finals against five other youngsters from around the world in an evaluation camp at Maranello.

"He has considerable natural speed and he combines this with the ability to listen and put into practice the advice he is given," said Academy head Marco Matassa.

**Formula One F1 - Sakhir Grand Prix - Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain - December 6, 2020. Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel in action during the race.** [REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed]

"His level headed and positive attitude, his ability as a team player and his cheerful nature make him particularly suitable for motorsport."

The academy has seen several young drivers progress to Formula One, the latest being Germany's Mick Schumacher whose father Michael is a seven-time world champion and Ferrari great.