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Grandson of two-time Formula 1 world champion Emerson Fittipaldi will honor Haas F1Obligation to have an authorized rookie do two free practice sessions in their car in 2022.
Fittipaldi, who started two GPs for the Haas at the end of 2020, replaced the wounded Romain Grosjean, still eligible for “rookie” status. Continuing as a test and reserve driver, he drove a Haas-modified 2019 Mule at Yas Marina at the end of last season and a VF-22 in Bahrain during this year’s pre-season testing.
“Very excited to announce that I will be doing FP1 in Mexico and Abu Dhabi,” Fittipaldi said. “I would like to thank the Haas F1 team for the great opportunity.
“I drove this car in Bahrain at the beginning of the year, but the opportunity to drive the VF-22 on race weekend was fantastic”.
Haas F1 Chief Engineer Ayao Komatsu walks the track with Haas F1 Team Pietro Fittipaldi
Photography: Andy Horn / motorsport pictures
Team Principal Gunther Steiner added: “I’m delighted that we’ll be able to get Pietro back in the VF-22 in Mexico and Abu Dhabi as part of our licensing rookie this season. He’s clearly still eligible for us back in 2020. Participate in two Grand Prix races.
“Pietro, as always, did a fantastic job for us early in pre-season testing, when he drove the VF-22 for the first time in Bahrain. I know he would love to drive again and we are delighted to give him a chance during these courses.”
Under a rule introduced in 2022, both drivers must forgo free practice sessions for “rookies” who have raced two or fewer F1 races.
At the beginning of the season, most teams are in no rush to send out rookies because they feel their racers need all the miles they can get in a new car. Lately, some have maintained that focus in the race for the constructors’ championship.
Plus, budget caps mean teams are more wary than ever of rookies causing costly injuries, as happened with Alfonso Celis and Force India in Mexico in 2017.
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