Fittipaldi to test with Haas in Bahrain, but race seat still open

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Pietro Fittipaldi will test with Haas this week in Bahrain, but team owner Gene Haas says the US outfit is still considering its options regarding who will race alongside Mick Schumacher this season.

Fittipaldi, who drove for Haas in the last two races of the 2020 season, is the team's official reserve driver and will take over in Sakhir the seat vacated by Nikita Mazepin following the outfit's decision last weekend to part ways with the Russian driver and title sponsor Uralkali.

"We’re in the process of looking at several candidates," Gene Haas told the Associated Press.

"We’ll see who is available and what we have to deal with, but we’ll have somebody by Wednesday. "Pietro will definitely be in it, that’s what he’s for, he’s the test driver."

Former Alfa Romeo F1 driver Antonio Giovinazzi is seen as a top contender to replace Mazepin.

The Italian is contracted to race in the FIA Formula E Championship with Dragon Penske. But it is understood that the 28-year-old, who has retained his affiliation with Ferrari, may have an exit clause that would conditionally allow him to move back to F1.

Read also: Wolff in 'two minds' over Mazepin exit from F1

Addressing his team's recent decision to severe ties with Uralkali and Mazepin, Haas said that the outcome was inevitable considering the raft of sanctions imposed on Russia as a result of its invasion of Ukraine.

"There was a lot of intense criticism about the Ukrainian invasion and it was just getting overwhelming," Haas explained.

"We can’t deal with all that, our other sponsors can’t deal with all that."

Haas also offered a reassuring outlook on his team's finances despite the funding shortfall caused by Uralkali's exit.

"Haas has always been the major, primary sponsor, I don’t know why people said it became a Russian team. Haas Automation was always on the car," said the Alerican.

"We’re good. We’re fine. We’d like more money, of course, but we’re fine," he said. "This just gives us a bigger negative number."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.