Mexican driver Esteban Gutierrez was thrown into Formula One too young and paid the price but Ferrari can help him prove his worth, the Italian team’s principal Maurizio Arrivabene told reporters.
Gutierrez, who was dropped by Swiss-based Sauber at the end of the season, was presented as Ferrari’s test and reserve driver last week.
The deal was followed up by the announcement that Gutierrez’s Mexican backers, telecommunications giant America Movil, were also joining the sport’s oldest and most successful team as sponsors.
Frenchman Jean-Eric Vergne was subsequently signed as another test driver, focusing on simulator work, with some media reports suggesting he would do the more substantial work. However, Arrivabene said Gutierrez should not be underestimated.
“He is a driver that made his debut in F1 too soon,” he said of the 23-year-old.
“Talented drivers must not be thrown on to the scene too early.
“I am sure he is talented and will have a chance to show it,” added Arrivabene.
Ferrari-powered Sauber failed to score a point this year in their worst season in Formula One.
Gutierrez and experienced German team-mate Adrian Sutil were dropped at the end of the campaign in favour of two drivers who brought in substantial funding – Sweden’s Marcus Ericsson and Brazilian rookie Felipe Nasr.
Meanwhile, Ferrari chairman Sergio Marchionne drew a line under a dismal year for Formula One’s most glamorous and successful team but made clear that 2015 would also be a season of struggle.
The Fiat Chrysler (FCA) chief executive, who replaced Luca Di Montezemolo as chairman in October, said Ferrari, whose engine has been outperformed by champions Mercedes, were paying a price for decisions made under the previous management.
“We started late with the 2015 car, certain choices and strategies that were made by others and that, in retrospect, I don’t necessarily share,” Marchionne said.
“So 2015 will be a difficult year that will put the team to test.”
Asked how long it would take Ferrari to recover, Marchionne said: “I think 2015 is going to be a reconstitution year. It will be Maurizio’s first full year with the team.
“I think hopefully within the next 12 months we will remove all the baggage of uncertainty that is going to plague at least the initial phase of 2015.
“Not to underestimate the significance or the magnitude of the task, I think Ferrari can probably get to the same place (as Mercedes) by the end of 2015.
“Some of the work has already started. We need to be able to emulate their success.”
Arrivabene, who has years of experience working on the governing body’s F1 commission as a sponsor representative, said the 2015 car was on schedule and had passed crash tests.
He said two wins next year would be a success, even if the legions of fans might not see it the same way, and three a triumph.
“If we win four, we go to heaven,” added Marchionne.