Another young American driver has earned a Formula One test. Meet Michael Lewis, a 20-year old California native from Laguna Beach, California.
Michael is someone I've know since he was born -- his dad and mine are longtime friends. He has been racing carts since he was in grade school, and for the last few years he's been racing carts and Formula BMW cars in Italy. When he's home he dabbles in Ford Focus midgets and Late Models.
This past year he stepped up to the Italian Formula Three series where wins at Spa and Mugello put him within striking distance of the series championship. Things were looking really good after he won the first race of the two-race season finale at Monza, but he took a bit too much curb in the chicane during race two and damaged his suspension.
In the end Michael earned the Italian F3 rookie championship by finishing second in the year end series points tally.
That result earned him an F1 test -- a Ferrari F1 test. Whoa.
His test is scheduled for this coming Tuesday. Go Michael.
You can hear him talk about it and what he's got planned for next year on this weekend's edition of Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain on the Speed Channel. You can also follow Michael on Twitter at @MicahelLewis949 and on Facebook at Michael Lewis Fans.
With two US Grands Prix looming on the horizon, the time has never been more right for US drivers to go big time. Michael Lewis may well have timed it perfectly.
More pictures after the jump.
Go Michael!
kyolml says:
10:16 PM, 11/12/11
well, Dan, we didn't know that you have the fund to establish a F1 career! or your long-time friend...time to get your kids involved!
actualsize says:
08:50 AM, 11/13/11
I don't! And I have not been involved at all. Zero credit. It's all Michael, with help from his dad!
This year's Christmas card from the Lewis family is going to be interesting, though.
scottyscooter says:
12:29 PM, 11/13/11
Cant understand how the heck people can drive those crazy F1 cars at max speed around a track. It seems superhuman to me...
teampenske3 says:
01:56 PM, 11/13/11
Props to him. I'm sure Ferrari know how valuable an American F1 driver will be with two USGPs in the works.
stovt001 says:
09:08 AM, 11/14/11
I'm glad to see it is with a team outside Red Bull's young driver development program. Other than Vettel, that just seems like a dead end, especially for American drivers. Best case scenario, again other than Vettel, seems to be a toxic, demoralizing year being used by STR before being tossed aside.