Antonio Giovinazzi will participate in seven free practice sessions with the Haas F1 Team during the 2017 season, with his first outing set to take place at the British Grand Prix in July.
The Italian, who made his race debut for the Sauber F1 Team in the Australian Grand Prix earlier this season and is the Scuderia Ferrari reserve driver, will also drive the VF-17 in Hungary before the summer break, before returning to the car again for practice sessions in Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, Brazil and Abu Dhabi.
“In a year that’s already been filled with great opportunities, I’m proud to have another one with Haas F1 Team,” said Giovinazzi. “Being the third driver with Scuderia Ferrari is obviously a great place to be, and getting seat time in these FP1 sessions with Haas F1 Team will keep me sharp.
“I’ll be able to take what I’ve learned in the simulator and apply it in actual race conditions. I’m proud of the faith Ferrari and Haas have in me and gracious for the seat time Kevin and Romain are sharing with me.”
Kevin Magnussen will step out of his car for six of the rounds in question, with Romain Grosjean doing the same in Mexico, and Haas Team Principal Guenther Steiner feels the move will allow Giovinazzi to continue his development into a stronger Formula 1 driver.
“Antonio Giovinazzi earned a good bit of Formula One experience during his two races with Sauber this year and these FP1 sessions with our team will allow him to develop even more,” said Steiner. “He is highly regarded by Ferrari and performed very well last year in Formula 2.
“It’s a good opportunity for him and we’re happy to provide it. Credit also goes to Kevin and Romain for graciously sharing their race cars with Antonio.”
