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Ferrari F1 third driver Antonio Giovinazzi gets Haas FP1 outings

Ferrari's third driver Antonio Giovinazzi will join the Haas Formula 1 team to drive in the opening practice session at seven grands prix this season.

The Italian made his grand prix racing debut in Australia earlier this season when he replaced the injured Pascal Wehrlein at Sauber, finishing 12th in the race.

He also competed in the second round in China, where he crashed in qualifying and the race, before Wehrlein returned to the cockpit.

Haas announced on Wednesday that Giovinazzi will have seven outings in FP1 with the team, starting with the British Grand Prix in July.

The 23-year-old will also drive in Hungary, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, Brazil and Abu Dhabi.

Giovinazzi will replace Romain Grosjean in the VF-17 in Mexico and Kevin Magnussen for the rest of his outings.

"In a year that's already been filled with great opportunities, I'm proud to have another one with Haas," said Giovinazzi.

"Being the third driver with 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."

Team boss Gunther Steiner added: "Antonio 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.

"He is highly regarded by Ferrari and performed very well last year in Formula 2 [Giovinazzi finished second in GP2 before its rebranding].

"It's a good opportunity for him and we're happy to provide it."

Zdroj: autosport.com