Giovinazzi to get FP1 outings for Haas

Ferrari third driver Antonio Giovinazzi will take part in seven Friday practice sessions for Haas this season, starting from the British Grand Prix.

Giovinazzi was runner-up in the GP2 Series – now Formula 2 – last season in his rookie campaign, leading to him being signed by Ferrari as part of its driver line-up. The Italian then made his F1 debut for Sauber in pre-season testing, before remaining in the car in place of the injured Pascal Wehrlein in both the Australian Grand Prix and the following round in China.

The 23-year-old will now link up with Haas to drive in FP1 at Silverstone as well as in Hungary, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, Brazil and Abu Dhabi. Kevin Magnussen will be the man to make way in all but one of those sessions, with Romain Grosjean stepping aside in Mexico.

"In a year that's already been filled with great opportunities, I'm proud to have another one with Haas F1 Team," Giovinazzi said. "Being the third driver with Scuderia Ferrari is obviously a great place to be, and getting seat time in these FP1 sessions with Haas F1 Team will keep me sharp.

"I'll be able to take what I've learned in the simulator and apply it in actual race conditions. I'm proud of the faith Ferrari and Haas have in me and gracious for the seat time Kevin and Romain are sharing with me."

Haas team principal Guenther Steiner says the two appearances for Sauber have given Giovinazzi a good base to develop from over the rest of the season.

"Antonio Giovinazzi earned a good bit of Formula 1 experience during his two races with Sauber this year and these FP1 sessions with our team will allow him to develop even more," Steiner said. "He is highly regarded by Ferrari and performed very well last year in Formula 2. It's a good opportunity for him and we're happy to provide it. Credit also goes to Kevin and Romain for graciously sharing their racecars with Antonio."

Haas also has American teenager Santino Ferrucci and Indian youngster Arjun Maini as part of its driver line-up this season, with Ferrucci having driven during the in-season test at Silverstone last year.