Antonio Giovinazzi will make his Formula 1 return next month, with Haas confirming he's slated in for two FP1 runs between now and the end of the year.
The Italian has been competing in Formula E in 2022 but found the switch from F1 to the all-electric series difficult, with him failing to score a point and also suffering a number of DNFs.
A tough first year for him in FE, then, but with the championship ending earlier in August in South Korea and not returning for a few months, the Italian is now set to return to more familiar surroundings, as he links up with Haas.
Indeed, not only does he obviously know F1 but he knows the team as well, having driven for Haas, again in practice sessions, back in 2017.
Now a reserve driver for Ferrari, the Scuderia were clearly keen to get him some minutes in a new-era F1 car and, given Haas and Ferrari work closely together, it's an agreement that makes a lot of sense.
Giovinazzi will drive in the FP1 sessions at both Monza and Austin, then, with both Kevin Magnussen and Mick Schumacher making way for one time apiece, and team boss Guenther Steiner says he's looking forward to working with the Italian:
"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. I’m looking forward to seeing Antonio again and having him back in the paddock with us.”
MONTE-CARLO, MONACO - MAY 26: Antonio Giovinazzi of Italy driving the (99) Alfa Romeo Racing C38 Ferrari leads Lance Stroll of Canada driving the (18) Racing Point RP19 Mercedes on track during the F1 Grand Prix of Monaco at Circuit de Monaco on May 26, 2019 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (Photo by Charles Coates/Getty Images)
Giovinazzi, meanwhile, had this to say:
“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. Thanks to Haas F1 Team and Scuderia Ferrari – I’m looking forward to giving my contribution to the team that counted on me already in 2017.”