Photo: Malcolm Griffiths / FIA F3 Championship
Ferrari junior Marcus Armstrong has joined Nicolas Todt’s All Road Management (ARM) company, following in the footsteps of past and current Ferrari Formula 1 drivers Felipe Massa and Charles Leclerc.
The 18-year-old will race in the FIA Formula 3 Championship this season with Prema, having started the year with the runner-up spot in the Toyota Racing Series, and following two seasons of racing where he was very almost a two-time Formula 4 champion and a European F3 race-winner.
ARM was established in 2003 by Todt, and guided Felipe Massa and Charles Leclerc to their Ferrari F1 drives. In addition to them, drivers signed by the Frenchman include Toro Rosso driver Daniil Kvyat, Ferrari GT star James Calado, Formula E driver Jose Maria Lopez, Renault F1 junior Caio Collet and karter Gabriele Mini.
Todt is also advising Armstrong’s Ferrari academy colleague Mick Schumacher.
?It?s really good to officially announce that we have started working with ARM and Nicolas,” said Armstrong.
“Some of my heroes have come up through ARM. I already feel very integrated in the family and I hope it?s the start of a successful relationship.”
Despite missing out on the TRS title for a second straight year, Armstrong’s recent performances have impressed Todt.
?I?m very excited to start working with Marcus, who is an extremely intelligent and talented driver,” Todt said.
“I have been already watching him very closely when he was racing in F4. He has the great opportunity to be a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy and I will try to help him as much as I can to ensure that he ticks all the boxes to achieve his dream to become a Formula 1 driver.”
Armstrong topped the first day of FIA F3 pre-season testing at Paul Ricard, but slumped down the order in the subsequent test at Barcelona.
?The engine and aero are really a big surprise to be honest. The only thing that makes life difficult in this car is the weight, which is just under 700kg,” the New Zealander said of the championship’s new-for-2019 car.
?We have a good package so far, but there?s still a lot of work to do before we get to where we want. Obviously the car is new to everyone so we are all working hard. The main thing is I feel confident and comfortable.?