Haas confirms Fittipaldi as test driver in 2021
- GPblog.com
Pietro Fittipaldi will once again act as test driver for Haas F1 in 2021. The Brazilian was allowed to fill in for the injured Romain Grosjean at the end of 2020 and did a solid job.
Fittipaldi has delivered a solid performance
Team boss Guenther Steiner says he is happy with the retention of Fittipaldi. "We’re all delighted to continue our relationship with Pietro Fittipaldi. The role of test and reserve driver means you might be called up to drive at very short notice and that turned out to be the case for Pietro in Bahrain at the end of 2020", Steiner revealed on the team's website.
"Despite the demands of driving with little time to prepare, he undoubtedly did a solid job for us – not least as he hadn’t even tested the VF-20", Steiner continued. According to Steiner, Fittipaldi's substitution is important for both Fittipaldi and Haas, as it adds even more to the team.
Present in Bahrain in March
Fittipaldi himself is very happy to stay with Haas for the third year. "I am grateful to Gene and Guenther for giving me this opportunity. I’m grateful to Gene (Haas) and Guenther (Steiner) for the opportunity once again. I’ve been working with the engineers now for a couple of years and I really feel like it’s a big family at Haas", said the Brazilian.
Fittipaldi will be present at the first Grand Prix weekend in Bahrain at the end of March. There it will be his job to support newcomers Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin. Both drivers will make their Formula 1 debuts that weekend.
Very happy to be continuing for a 3rd year as Haas F1 Reserve and Test Driver! I can’t wait to start working with the team.With 2GPs under my belt I look forward to using that experience to contribute even more! Thank you Gene and Guenther for the confidence and opportunity.@F1 pic.twitter.com/J28cFVmLzq
— Pietro Fittipaldi (@PiFitti) February 19, 2021