Fittipaldi name returns to F1 at Haas

Fittipaldi name returns to F1 at Haas

Joas van Wingerden

Friday 9 November 2018 16:24

The famous Fittipaldi name will be linked to Formula 1 once again in 2019 , with Emerson Fittipaldi's grandson Pietro having signed a test driver deal with Haas. Pietro Fittipaldi will debut for Haas at the end-of-season F1 test in Abu Dhabi.

Former Lotus and McLaren driver Emerson Fittipaldi was crowned F1 champion in 1972 and 1974 and also holds two victories to his name in the Indianapolis 500.

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Pietro has experience in European F3, NASCAR and IndyCar and had been due to add World Endurance Championship experience to that list, but broke both his legs in a crash at Spa this year.

He has recovered over the course of the year and will make his debut in an F1 car later this year.

"I'm extremely appreciative to have secured a role with Haas F1 Team as their test driver," said Fittipaldi.

"I'd like to thank Gene Haas and Guenther Steiner for the opportunity to join the team. They've done an incredible job in Formula One, and to ask me to play a role in their continued success is naturally very exciting.

"I'm looking forward to getting behind the wheel of the VF-18 in Abu Dhabi. I'll carry that experience forward into 2019, and hopefully into a race seat in Formula One in the future."

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