Haas aims to start the Bahrain F1 Test in the afternoon of Day 1 with Pietro Fittipaldi driving the VF-22.
Following the departure of Nikita Mazepin, Haas readily had Fittipaldi available for the Bahrain F1 Test if not for the full season. The Brazilian is among the list of drivers under consideration for the seat, more so as he is already its reserve driver.
In the lead-up to the Bahrain test, the signing of Fittipaldi became apparent but there is a longer wait on the matter. For now, Haas has confirmed the Brazilian for the delayed running in Bahrain due to freight issues they have had this week.
At the moment, Haas aims to start the Bahrain Test in the afternoon of Day 1 (Thursday) after the freight arrived at Bahrain midnight on Wednesday. The reason for the delay is due to the breakdown of the DHL flight which was supposed to take the Haas freight.
While there was a notion that Haas could announce its Bahrain line-up along with Mazepin’s replacement, it seems like there is a longer wait to know that. Now whether the Brazilian races for the team beyond the Bahrain F1 test, it is not yet certain.
“The team’s freight arrived late last night to the circuit in Bahrain. This delay will impact our programme but we are targeting being out on track for the second session Thursday afternoon with Pietro Fittipaldi driving the VF-22,” stated Haas in a statement.
The team’s spokesperson added that he has no other updates presumably regarding the full line-up and a future replacement. Mazepin is slated to hold a press conference today to speak on the matter where the Russian has promised to shed more light.
For Haas, the list of drivers is ever increasing with Fittipaldi facing competition from the likes of Antonio Giovinazzi and Nico Hulkenberg. Danish media added Kevin Magnussen’s name in the pot too, but only time will tell who is to partner Mick Schumacher.
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