Formula 1 Bahrain March testing
Fittipaldi: Missing out on Haas Formula 1 drive "hurts"
Pietro Fittipaldi says it “hurts” to have missed out on a Formula 1 drive with Haas, but that he understands the team’s decision to re-sign Kevin Magnussen.
Luke Smith
Edited: Mar 13, 2022, 4:45 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Following the termination of Nikita Mazepin’s contract and Uralkali’s title sponsorship deal in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Haas found itself in search of a new driver just two weeks away from the start of the new season.
Team principal Gunther Steiner said initially that reserve driver Fittipaldi would get the first call to stand in if required, having previously driven for Haas at late notice for Romain Grosjean at the end of the 2020 season.
But the team announced on Wednesday it had struck a deal for Magnussen to return on a multi-year agreement, partnering Mick Schumacher. Magnussen raced for Haas between 2017 and 2020, and was the only driver contacted about the seat, according to Steiner.
Although Fittipaldi understood the team’s decision to sign a driver with more F1 experience, the Brazilian conceded that it was disappointing to have missed out on the seat.
“[Steiner] told me it was really only two candidates under consideration, and it was me and I didn't know who the other driver was,” Fittipaldi said.
“It was Kevin, and it went his way. And I respect the team's decision. Obviously, as a racer at heart, it's disappointing, it hurts, because I know the potential we have, and the potential I know I can deliver.
“[Steiner] said: ’We needed someone with experience’, and I understood that, but it doesn't change my commitment to the team, and the story doesn't end here.
“I'm going to keep working hard. I had to fight through a lot of adversity in my career already. And this is just something else. The only thing I can do now is work even harder.”
Pietro Fittipaldi, Haas VF-22
Photo by: Steven Tee / Motorsport Images
Fittipaldi believed it would have been “huge” to become the first Brazilian driver in F1 full-time since 2017, as well as getting the chance to race in his birth city of Miami in May.
“I know what we could have done, it would have been huge with Brazil and everything, it would have been amazing,” Fittipaldi said.
“The Miami GP, I was born in Miami. And then I thought it was really going to come together. But it's fine. It's not a problem. The next day you wake up, you've got to work harder.
“Another opportunity will come, I know the story doesn't end here. Whatever it may be, I told Gunther I'm just as committed as it was before. And every time he puts me in the car, I'm going to be as prepared as I can be.”
Fittipaldi will continue to support Haas in a reserve role through the 2022 season. He drove the VF-22 car on the opening day of pre-season testing in Bahrain, and is likely to feature in FP1 sessions this year for its young driver requirement.
Read Also:
- Haas: Sunday F1 test would've been fairer solution after freight delay
- What Magnussen’s ‘homecoming’ means for him and Haas
- Steiner: Magnussen the only driver Haas spoke to for vacant F1 seat
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Williams ends day early after brake fire melts suspension
Next article 2022 Bahrain F1 test: Sainz heads Verstappen on Day 2
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Luke Smith
1998 Belgian GP: When the Schumachers went to war
Formula 1
Formula 1
1998 Belgian GP: When the Schumachers went to war
The race that transformed perceptions of Red Bull
Formula 1
Formula 1
The race that transformed perceptions of Red Bull
Hamilton in the process of selecting Brad Pitt’s co-star for F1 movie
Formula 1
Formula 1
Hamilton in the process of selecting Brad Pitt’s co-star for F1 movie
More from
Pietro Fittipaldi
Pietro Fittipaldi is fueled by 5-Hour Energy and lots of carbs
Sponsored
Sponsored
Indianapolis 500
Pietro Fittipaldi is fueled by 5-Hour Energy and lots of carbs
Rahal encouraged despite limited running in Indy 500 Open Test
IndyCar
IndyCar
Indianapolis 500 Open test
Rahal encouraged despite limited running in Indy 500 Open Test
Sato returning to Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing for Indy 500
IndyCar
IndyCar
Indianapolis 500
Sato returning to Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing for Indy 500
More from
Haas F1 Team
Why it's now Oliver Bearman versus Rafael Camara for the next Ferrari vacancy
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
Why it's now Oliver Bearman versus Rafael Camara for the next Ferrari vacancy
Esteban Ocon responds to Haas signing Rafael Camara for F1 2027
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
Esteban Ocon responds to Haas signing Rafael Camara for F1 2027
Latest news
F1 United States GP live commentary and updates - Q1 is go
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
37 min
F1 United States GP live commentary and updates - Q1 is go
Colton Herta savours "super special" Austin homecoming as 2027 uncertainty remains
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
1 h
Colton Herta savours "super special" Austin homecoming as 2027 uncertainty remains
NASCAR Cup Talladega starting lineup: Chase Briscoe beats Austin Hill for pole
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Talladega II
2 h
NASCAR Cup Talladega starting lineup: Chase Briscoe beats Austin Hill for pole
F1 United States GP: Lewis Hamilton pips Max Verstappen in FP3
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
2 h
F1 United States GP: Lewis Hamilton pips Max Verstappen in FP3
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe