Bortolotti surprised to be dropped by Ferrari
Mirko Bortolotti is still aiming for F1 © Sutton Images
Despite being dropped by two F1 driver development schemes in the space of a year, Mirko Bortolotti is not giving up on his dream.
The Italian was ditched by the Red Bull programme at the start of 2010 and last week lost his position in the Ferrari Driver Academy after a difficult season in GP3.
After winning Italian Formula 3 at 18 years old, Bortolotti caught the attention of the F1 paddock when he set a new lap record of Ferrari's Fiorano test track in the 2008 car. He was then picked up by Red Bull and completed two days of young driver testing with Toro Rosso at the end of the 2009 season.
However, he only managed 11th place in this year's GP3 championship and without Ferrari's backing will have to carve a route to F1 on his own.
"The change of course of the Ferrari Driver Academy is for me a bit unexpected and I am disappointed, he told motorline.cc. "From the F1 test engineers I've only had good feedback and they're always happy with my performance and my work.
"To be honest, I've been thinking about making a career in touring or sports cars. I'm a racing driver, not a dreamer. On the other hand, I have had so much encouragement that I am still working on my goal and will not give up. And this encouragement, also from important people in formula one, motivates me a lot."
Credit: ESPN F1 (espn.com)
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