The Italian Grand Prix is dear to the Italians and the Scuderia Ferrari has decided to have at least one Italian driver during the weekend. Antonio Giovinazzi, former full-time Formula 1 driver for Alfa Romeo Sauber until last year, will be back behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car.
As part of the engine supplier agreements, Ferrari, who has Antonio Giovinazzi as a reserve driver, has the ability to negotiate track time. That’s exactly what they did with Giovinazzi, who has no seat this season and will therefore be behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car under the new regulations this weekend at Monza for the Italian Grand Prix. He will only drive in Free Practice 1, and it is still unknown whether he will replace Mick Schumacher or Kevin Magnussen. Considering that Schumacher is also a reserve driver for Ferrari, in addition to his role at Haas, it would make sense for him to be the driver being replaced.
So this will be the first time that Giovinazzi will be driving a car with the new technical and aerodynamic regulations. He will have the opportunity to compare this 2022 Haas to the previous year’s Ferrari SF21 version as Ferrari organized a test day yesterday with Giovinazzi and Shwartzman to prepare their driver.
The Italian driver will also drive in FP1 for Haas during the United States Grand Prix.
Note that another non-contracted driver will be driving in FP1: Nyck de Vries will be driving with Aston Martin.
