Haas hands Giovinazzi FP1 outings at Monza and Austin

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Ferrari reserve driver Antonio Giovinazzi will return to Formula 1 in the back half of the 2022 season, the Italian running with Haas in FP1 at Monza and Austin.

Giovinazzi, a veteran of 62 starts in F1 who raced for three seasons with Alfa Romeo, departed the grid at the end of last year to contest the 2021-22 Formula E championship with Dragon Penske Racing.

The Italian is well acquainted with Haas, having enjoyed seven Friday practice sessions with the US outfit as a junior driver back in 2017.

The 28-year-old will enjoy an outing on home turf at next month's Italian Grand Prix and then a second FP1 run at the US Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin.

Read also: Critics 'should take more time' before judging - Schumacher

"I’m so glad to have the chance to drive again in official F1 sessions," said Giovinazzi.

"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."

Kevin Magnussen and Mick Schumacher will alternately vacate their seat with Haas to accommodate Giovinazzi.

"We’re happy to welcome Antonio Giovinazzi back to the team for the two FP1 outings," added Haa team boss Guenther Steiner.

"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."

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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.