Giovinazzi set to make Formula 1 FP1 return with Haas

Image credit: Formula 1

Antonio Giovinazzi will make his F1 return at the Italian and United States Grand Prix FP1 sessions for Haas.

Giovinazzi fell out of Formula 1 last year following three seasons at Alfa Romeo, losing his seat to F2 vice-champion Zhou Guanyu.

Following this, the 28-year-old moved to Formula E with Dragon Penske Racing while also remaining at Scuderia Ferrari in a reserve role.

With the close ties between Ferrari and Haas, Giovinazzi will now return to Formula 1 with practice outings for Haas F1 Team at both the Italian and United States Grand Prix.

Giovinazzi was happy to be given the chance to get back behind the wheel, saying:

“I’m so glad to have the chance to drive again in official F1 sessions. 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.

“Driving on challenging and exciting tracks as Monza and COTA makes it even more thrilling.”

Speaking about Giovinazzi’s opportunity to test the VF-22, Haas team principal Guenther Steiner said:

“We’re happy to welcome Antonio Giovinazzi back to the team for the two FP1 outings. 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.”

With Mick Schumacher’s contract ending at the end of this season, and strong rumours the German could be in line to replace Fernando Alonso at Alpine, Giovinazzi could be an ideal candidate for Haas to consider should they find themselves with a vacancy in 2023.

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