Dec.21 (GMM) Despite being ousted by two F1 driver development schemes in the space of a year, Mirko Bortolotti is not giving up on his dream.

The Italian began 2010 by being dropped by the Red Bull programme, and last week his new ties with the Ferrari Driver Academy were cut at the end of a disappointing GP3 campaign.

When still a teenager, Bortolotti had first caught attention by setting the fastest ever lap at Fiorano in the 2008 car, and was subsequently linked with a Toro Rosso race seat as well as the then injured Felipe Massa's Ferrari cockpit.

His run of progress now dashed, he admitted: "The change of course of the Ferrari Driver Academy is for me a bit unexpected and I am disappointed.

"From the F1 test engineers I've only had good feedback and they're always happy with my performance and my work," Bortolotti, to turn 21 next month, told motorline.cc.

"To be honest, I've been thinking about making a career in touring or sports cars. I'm a racing driver, not a dreamer.

"On the other hand, I have had so much encouragement that I am still working on my goal and will not give up. And this encouragement, also from important people in formula one, motivates me a lot," he added.

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