Haas confirms Fittipaldi as test and reserve driver for 2021

Phillip van Osten 19/02/2021 at 14:0919/02/2021 at 21:11

Haas has retained Pietro Fittipaldi as the team's test and reserve driver for the 2021 Formula 1 season.

The 24-year-old grandson of F1 legend Emerson Fittipaldi served as the US outfit's reserve driver last year and had the opportunity to make his F1 debut with the team when he subbed for the injured Romain Grosjean at the Sakhir and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix.

"We’re all delighted to continue our relationship with Pietro Fittipaldi," said team boss Guenther Steiner. "

"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.

"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.

"He didn’t get caught up in the moment, he proved patient and ultimately, he did what he was asked to do – he brought the car home in Bahrain and Abu Dhabi.

"That first-hand race experience will only serve to add value in terms of what he brings to the team in his role this season.

"We look forward to working with Pietro and having him with us again throughout the year."

Read also: AlphaTauri's Tost doubtful of Mazepin's ability to succeed in F1

Fittipaldi will embed with Haas at every opportunity this season while Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin learn the ropes of F1.

"I’m very happy to be able to continue into my third year with Haas F1 Team," said Pietro Fittipaldi. 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.

"It’s a great pleasure for me to be able to continue working with the team. With the two races I ran last year, it just helped me gain even more experience, and I’m sure that’s going to help me be able to contribute more to the team as a result.

"I’m really looking forward to the new season and I’m just really excited to be continuing my relationship with Haas and being with them again in Bahrain in March."

🇬🇧 Back on the team for 2021! A message from @PiFitti as he continues as our Test and Reserve driver this year.#HaasF1 pic.twitter.com/KSWjYFZtGW
— Haas F1 Team (@HaasF1Team) February 19, 2021