Family affair as Fittipaldi returns to Formula One

One of motor racing’s most famous names will be back in Formula One next season when Pietro Fittipaldi, grandson of double world champion Emerson Fittipaldi, joins the American Haas team as a test driver. The 22-year-old Brazilian follows three other famous Fittipaldis, in Emerson, Wilson and Christian, in reviving not only the family name, but Brazilian participation in the sport.

“I’m pleased to welcome Pietro Fittipaldi to Haas F1 Team and we look forward to working with him,” said team principal Guenther Steiner.

“He brings a championshipwinning pedigree from his junior open-wheel career and more recently he has acquitted himself well in the IndyCar series.

“We’re happy to provide Pietro with his first test in a Formula 1 car off the back of those experiences. His subsequent role testing, and the feedback he’ll provide in support of our 2019 campaign, will no doubt further contribute to Haas F1 Team’s growth and development in Formula 1.”

Fittipaldi, born in Miami, will take part in a tyre test scheduled for Abu Dhabi later this month. He started six races with Dale Coyne Racing in the Indycar series this year, five of them after recovering from breaking a leg during a sportscar race at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium in May.

“I’m looking forward to getting behind the wheel in Abu Dhabi. I’ll carry that experience forward into 2019 — and hopefully into a race seat in F1 in the future,” said Fittipaldi, who will be reserve driver for the team’s senior men Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen.

His grandfather Emerson Fittipaldi won 14 Grands Prix on his way to world titles with Lotus and McLaren.