Bianchi to race in Ferrari Winter Series

F1 racer Jules Bianchi is amongst the drivers who have been confirmed for the first Florida Winter Series to be run by Ferrari's Driver Academy.

The Marussia driver, who is part of the Academy, is set to take part in one of the four races due to be held in the series, which gets under in late January.

Bianchi will be joined in the series by fellow Academy drivers Lance Stroll, Antoio Fuoco and FIA F3 champion Raffaele Marciello as well as single-seater racer Ed Jones, Dennis Van de Laar, Nicola Latifi, Louis Sa Silva and Alex Bozak, as well as karter Leonardo Pulcini.

IndyCar racer Simona de Silvestro has also signed up for one race, which will be run using Formula Abarth machinery.

"By taking part in in the Florida Winter Series, we want the drivers to increase their experience in all sectors and that, particularly for the very youngest, they start to tackle all the difficult aspects of this job," Ferrari Driver Academy director Luca Baldisserri said. "For example, we will ask them to support the mechanics as they work on assembling and dismantling their cars, thus increasing their practical mechanical knowledge. It's the best way to understand how what they do out on track can affect the work that goes on in the pits.

"Furthermore, in between races there will be time not only to fine tune their physical preparation in pleasant weather, but also to work with the engineers on analysing the data and, no less important, to share their experiences with drivers from different backgrounds."

Races are scheduled for Sebring, Palm Beach and Homestead, the latter hosting two events.