Fittipaldi and Delétraz promoted to Haas test drivers and reserves

They were to be formalized in their new position as part of the Australian Grand Prix. The Coronavirus pandemic and the cancellation of the opening round of the season decided otherwise. 

Pietro Fittipaldi and Louis Delétraz will share the roles of Haas test driver and reserve F1 Team in 2020. The two hopefuls have been affiliated with the American team since the end of 2018 and the Pirelli tests in Abu Dhabi where they made their debut at the wheel of an F1 with the VF-18.  

In 2019, the Brazilian and the Swiss worked tirelessly to develop the F1 simulator used by the Haas team. They will continue to fulfill this essential function when the 2020 campaign begins but are also strengthening their ties with the American structure.

« Pietro and Louis have given us a lot over the last 12 months, commented Guenther Steiner, team principal of the Haas F1 Team. Their work in the simulator was particularly valuable last year as we went through a difficult patch. They represent additional assets in our racing team to develop the VF-20 ». 

Fittipaldi, 23, has already covered some 2000 kilometers in tests with Haas, whether on the track or in the in-house simulator. The grandson of double F1 world champion Emerson (1972 and 1974) notably took the wheel of the VF-19 during the tests reserved for young drivers organized last year in Bahrain and Spain, as well as during the Pirelli tests from Abu Dhabi. 

Delétraz, 22, will ride this season in Formula 2 under the colors of Charouz Racing System and with the ambition of playing for the title in the official lobby of Formula 1. 

First mission for the Haas young shoots: represent their team during the next virtual Grand Prix which will take place on Sunday April 5.