Raffaele Marciello sings as Sauber reserve driver for 2015

It was announced this morning that Ferrari protege Raffaele Marciello will be Sauber’s test and reserve driver for the 2015 Formula 1 season.

Marciello, a long-time member of Ferrari’s driver academy programme, made his F1 testing debut for the Maranello squad in Abu Dhabi last month.

The 20-year-old Italian will combine a second season of GP2 with his Sauber commitments, staying on with the Racing Engineering team in the F1 feeder category.

In his statement to the media today, Marciello is delighted to have signed as a reserve driver for the Sauber team, Marciello stated the following :-

'I am really pleased to become a member of the Sauber F1 team, which has a long tradition of building up excellent drivers. I really think that this is the best choice for my future career.

'I am also happy to compete for one more season in the GP2 Series, which, together with my new F1 role, will give me a very busy 2015 season.'

Marciello is clearly delighted to have signed as a reserve driver for Sauber next season and why wouldn't he be. As he rightly points out Sauber have given young drivers such as Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa a platform and a foundation to develop their skills as a driver which has seen both drivers driving for Ferrari in their careers for example and Marciello knows that this opportunity could also not only be the best option for him and his career right now but also the chance to gain experience within the sport in the process that could be to his advantage in the near future.

But even though Marciello does have other racing commitments in 2015 with competing in the GP2 series, I am sure that he will be able to balance effectively both commitments without compromising his ability to perform on the track at every single race in GP2 or opportunity to test in Formula One next season.

In her own statement to the media, Sauber Team Principal Monisha Kaltenborn said Marciello’s deal with her Ferrari-powered squad included some appearances in grand prix practice sessions.

Kaltenborn stated the following about signing Marciello to the Sauber team next season:-

'He proved his great talent in junior formulas, and his season in the European Formula 3 Championship with 13 wins and the title victory was particularly impressive.

'We will give Raffaele the opportunity to become familiar with Formula 1, which also includes him taking part in some free practice sessions on Fridays.'

From what Kaltenborn has stated this morning in her statement, it is clear that Marciello's performance in the European Formula 3 Championship this season has been a factor in the team signing him up as a reserve driver next season. And you can understand why Sauber have provided him with the opportunity especially after achieving 13 wins which is a fantastic achievement to have under his belt at such a young age.

By Sauber and giving him this opportunity as a reserve driver in 2015 is a reflection of his hard work this season and also Sauber believing that he is more than talented enough to acquire the opportunity to gain some Formula One experience next season and improve as a driver alongside gaining much needed experience that other young drivers are also chasing alongside him.

However, even though Marciello is clearly talented enough by what he has shown this season, you could also say that Sauber's arrangement with Ferrari as their engine supplier could have also had a factor in Sauber's decision to sign him up for next season.

This arrangement in my opinion could benefit both parties in regards to Sauber could receive more updates on their engine throughout the course of the season in exchange for giving Marciello an opportunity to develop his talent further by acquiring some Formula One experience which could prove very handy for him if he was to gain a Formula One race seat in the near future. It is a win-win situation for all concerned if this was the case that is as Sauber would get the performance they need to perform on the track which in turn would allow their protégé the chance to perform at the highest level.

But overall, it is clear that Sauber signing Marciello as a reserve driver for the 2015 season is an arrangement that both parties are happy with and both are looking forward to the new season ahead in partnership together and achieving the best results that they possibly can on the track.

It is clear that Marciello has done a superb job in the European Formula 3 championship this season to have been selected by Sauber and to be given a chance to nurture and develop more as a driver and as a talent by acquire some Formula One experience that could prove very handy for him in the near future when looking for a race seat.

As Marciello rightly points out himself, Sauber are known as a team that has brought in young and talented drivers over the years such as Raikkonen and have given them a chance to shine and also develop as a driver that has allowed them to gain a race seat in the sport.

Sauber have shown that this path in developing young and talented drivers does work and this opportunity could be very beneficial for Marciello to develop more as a driver and acquire more experience in the sport and could bag him a race seat in the near future as a result of this.

But as we know Marciello is a Ferrari Academy driver and even though Ferrari supply Sauber their engines, you could say that Ferrari may have had a hand in this arrangement behind the scenes but does not take away the fact that he has the talent to succeed and has shined with every opportunity he has acquired in his career in motorsport so far.

All Marciello can do in 2015 is show Sauber (also Ferrari as well) what he can do in a GP2 and Formula One car next season, get to know both of his team behind the scenes and how they work and concentrate on getting the best of himself and car when the opportunity presents itself on the track. I look forward to seeing how he performs at Sauber over the course of next season and how he performs on the track; where is where it matters most.

Sarah Jones