Hot on the heels of signing talented rookie Mick Schumacher, Ferrari has added another famous name to it’s Driver Academy – His Royal Highness Prince Philip.
“If anyone needs driving coaching, it’s Philip” Ferrari Team Principal Mattia Binotto told SHOCKED ONLOOKERS.
“He has done some carting in his time though – mainly horse drawn”
The announcement comes after the Prince crashed his Land Rover during free practice near Kensington.
Naturally the Prince underwent a rigorous assessment process.
“I wanted to make sure he wasn’t Arrivabene in a bald-cap” Binotto said.
The Prince had a seat fitting last Friday.
“We also fitted his crown with a Hans device” a Ferrari engineer confirmed, “and we’ve set his team radio to Radio 4”
At 97, Philip is by far the oldest member of the driving academy, and one of the oldest members of the human race.
“He’s still younger than Kimi” Binotto rightly points out
Buckingham Palace released an official statement saying:
“His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh is delighted to join the Ferrari Driver Academy, provided there aren’t too many Italians.”
Ferrari won out against other leading teams vying for the Prince’s services.
“Red Bull reportedly wanted to sign him for their Seniors’ Program and Land Rover wanted him to do the Dakar” a palace insider revealed.
“Probably a good thing thought the Prince didn’t make it to Peru for all concerned”
It comes after rumours last year the Palace planned to secure the Prince a spot on the Formula 1 grid for 2019.
“The Prince wanted to purchase ‘Force India’ and change the name to ‘Force British India’” a palace insider confirmed.
“I say ‘purchase’, I mean ‘conquer’”
In the end, the deal fell apart.
“The Royal Family are rich, but they don’t have Stroll money”
However, the Duke faces a potential problem should he ever line up on the grid.
“He will take a 10 place grid penalty for receiving a new hip” the FIA confirmed.
