Fittipaldi on Magnussen appointment: 'I respect the team's decision'

Pietro Fittipaldi, third driver of the team Haas, touched on a tenure in Formula 1 following the departure of Nikita mazepin of the American structure due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Unfortunately for him, Kevin Magnussen, former member of the house from 2017 to 2020, was preferred. The grandson of double world champion Emerson Fittipaldi (1972, 1974) looked behind the scenes at the Dane's return and how he experienced this situation.

“There were really only two candidates considered, it was me and I didn't know who the other driver was, declared the Brazilian on F1TV on the sidelines of the pre-season tests in Bahrain where he had the opportunity to drive the car Thursday afternoon. It was Kevin. It ultimately went his way and I respect the team's decision. Obviously, as a competitor at heart, it's disappointing, it hurts, because I know the potential we have, and the potential I know I can offer. » The Haas VF-22 has indeed shown great things in recent days on the Sakhir track with the best time of Kevin Magnussen on Friday and the second time of Mick Schumacher this Saturday, behind the outgoing champion Max Verstappen (Red Bull). 

A disappointment all the more marked for Pietro Fittipaldi since he also has American nationality and would have had the opportunity to participate in the first Grand Prix in the history of his hometown, Miami. “ I thought it was really going to come to fruition, but it's all good. This is not a problem. You wake up the next day and you have to work harder. Another opportunity will present itself, I know the story doesn't end there. Günther knows that I am just as committed as before. Every time he puts me in the car, I'll be as prepared as possible. » What tipped the balance for Kevin Magnussen to Günther Steiner was experience. With Mazepin gone, the Italian leader did not want a second year with two young drivers.

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