He split his running into two phases, evaluating dry and wet compounds for 2024, and accumulated nearly 700 kilometers – exceeding twice the distance of a race.
It was Fittipaldi’s first run in the car, as Haas concentrated on Nico Hulkenberg in pre-season testing.
Fittipaldi expressed, “The test was excellent. Experiencing an F1 car for the first time at Silverstone was truly remarkable.”
“I experienced driving in both dry and rainy conditions. We covered nearly 700 kilometers, which equated to numerous laps. However, I made sure to adequately prepare myself physically. Over the past year, I have dedicated significant effort to ensure that I can drive the car for this extensive number of laps without encountering any issues.”
“The style of the F1 cars works well with my driving style, which gives me confidence, with an impressive level of grip. The test was great, and trying the Pirelli tyres without the blankets was quite interesting. I’m very happy with the day with Haas and thank you for the opportunity.”
Pietro Fittipaldi, Reserve Driver, Haas F1 Team
Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Gunther Steiner, the team principal, commended Fittipaldi for his unwavering dedication to the team since 2019. In 2020, the Brazilian driver stepped in for the injured Romain Grosjean and made two grand prix starts.
“Before anything else, I would like to extend my congratulations to Pietro for his victory in the LMP2 category at Monza,” Steiner acknowledged, acknowledging the Brazilian’s success in the previous round of the FIA World Endurance Championship. “Since Nico was new to the team during pre-season testing, we had to prioritize his familiarization with the VF-23, leaving no time for Pietro to drive it.”
“As soon as possible, we promptly placed Pietro in the vehicle since he serves as our backup driver. In the event of any unforeseen circumstances involving our current driver, he will take over the driving duties.”
“We must ensure he is in the optimal position in case it occurs, and he consistently demonstrates exceptional performance, reliability, and dependability. The engineers hold him in high regard, and Pirelli values his input. Therefore, it is beneficial to have Pietro present and maintain his motivation.”
“He possesses the skills of a professional race car driver, and it is evident that he is prepared to seize any chance to drive an F1 car. His performance is commendable, as he competes in LMP2 races to maintain his racing skills in case an opportunity arises to enter the world of F1. We greatly appreciate Pietro’s contributions and are grateful to have him with us.”
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