Antonio Giovinazzi will return to the Formula 1 track with Haas for FP1 sessions at both the Italian and US Grand Prix, it has been announced.
The former Alfa Romeo driver has spent 2022 as reserve driver at Ferrari alongside competing in Formula E, where he failed to score a single point in a terrible rookie season.
However, with questions still surrounding the future of Mick Schumacher at Haas for 2023, Giovinazzi is potentially set to make his case for an F1 comeback.
“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,” said Haas boss Guenther Steiner.
“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.”
These outings for Giovinazzi will be in addition to the two FP1 sessions each team must give a young driver with less than two races of F1 experience.
But the Italian is keen to see just how different the 2022 cars are compared to those he raced in 2019-21.
“Besides simulator driving, it is important to test a true car and I can’t wait to put my suit and helmet back on,” Giovinazzi said.
“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.”