Haas has accepted a request by its engine supplier Ferrari to run Antonio Giovinazzi in two practice sessions this year.
The former Alfa Romeo Formula 1 driver, who has just completed his first season in Formula E, will appear for Haas in first practice at his home event in Monza next month and again when the series visits the Circuit of the Americas in October.
In a new rule introduced this year, all teams must run a driver who has not participated in more than two grands prix during their career on at least two occasions in a practice session. As Giovinazzi does not fulfil this criteria, Haas’s regular race drivers will have to sit out two more practice sessions over the remaining nine rounds.
Giovinazzi previously drove for Haas in seven practice sessions during the 2017 season. Haas team principal Guenther Steiner said in a statement Ferrari was eager to ensure its reserve driver was prepared to take up the chance to drive for the team if needed.
“We’re happy to welcome Antonio Giovinazzi back to the team for the two FP1 outings,” he said. “Ferrari were keen to give Antonio some seat time in a current-spec Formula 1 car on a race weekend and we were naturally happy to assist.
“We enjoyed a similar situation back in 2017 with Antonio and Ferrari – the clear difference between then and now is the experience he’ll have gained competing for the previous three seasons in Formula 1 and the feedback he’ll be able to give us in Italy and America.”
Giovinazzi has driven Ferrari’s car in the team’s simulator but said he is keen to experience a real 2022 F1 car for the first time.
“Besides simulator driving it is important to test a true car and I can’t wait to put my suit and helmet back on. It’ll be an opportunity to get confident with the new generation cars – it’s the best way to be ready if I were called as reserve driver.”
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2022 F1 season
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