Antonio Giovinazzi To Make F1 Return With Haas FP1 Drives

Italian driver Antonio Giovinazzi will return to a Formula 1 cockpit in 2022 as Haas confirmed the ex-Alfa Romeo driver would be in their car for two practice sessions this season.

Giovinazzi, 28, will drive the VF-22 in first practice for the Italian GP in Monza, and in Austin, Texas at the United States Grand Prix, with Haas’ race drivers Kevin Magnussen and Mick Schumacher each taking a turn out of the car to allow Giovinazzi to drive.

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.”

Giovinazzi, who has spent an unsuccessful season in Formula E with Dragon/Penske, last drove for Haas in practice in 2017, having substituted at Sauber for two races earlier in the season when Pascal Wehrlein was injured.

“I’m so glad to have the chance to drive again in official F1 sessions,” Giovinazzi said, who is hoping that the outings with Haas lead to a role within F1 again added: ““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.”

Giovinazzi partnered 2007 World Champion Kimi Raikkonen at Alfa Romeo Sauber for three seasons has started 62 F1 races, scoring 21-points.