Haas F1 has announced the participation of Antonio Giovinazzi in two Free Practice 1 sessions at the end of the season, at the Italian Grand Prix and the United States Grand Prix. An astonishing announcement, since the former Alfa Romeo driver has left Formula 1, although he is part of Ferrari.
Haas has yet to run young drivers in FP1, and Giovinazzi’s runs won’t be that way, given the Italian’s F1 experience. But Günther Steiner, the Haas director, explains the reasons for the return of Giovinazzi, who had tested for the team in 2017.
“We are happy to welcome Antonio Giovinazzi to the team for both FP1 sessions” commented Steiner. “Ferrari were keen to give Antonio some seat time in a current Formula 1 car over a race weekend. We were understandably happy to help.”
“We benefited from a similar situation in 2017 with Antonio and Ferrari, the clear difference between then and now being the experience he will have gained during the previous three seasons in F1, and the feedback he will be able to give us in Italy and America. I can’t wait to see Antonio once more and have him back in the paddock with us.”
A possible alliance for the 2023 season?
Giovinazzi is happy to return to F1, even for testing, following a disastrous Formula E campaign alongside his role as a reserve at Ferrari: “I am very happy to have the chance to drive once more in the official F1 sessions.”
“Besides driving in the simulator, it’s important to test a real car and I can’t wait to put my suit and my helmet back on. It will be an opportunity to gain confidence with the new generation cars, it’s the best way to be ready if I was called up as a reserve driver.”
“Driving on challenging and exciting circuits like Monza and Circuit of The Americas makes things even more thrilling. Thanks to Haas F1 and Scuderia Ferrari, I look forward to contributing to the team that has already relied on me. in 2017.”
In addition to Ferrari’s desire to run the Italian, one can wonder if Haas does not want to test him to possibly bring him back next year. Indeed, if Mick Schumacher were to join Alpine F1 as rumors have it, Giovinazzi might be the driver that Ferrari places at Haas.
