Fittipaldi was in test talks with Haas before crash
- Published on 10 May 2018 14:24
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- By: Fergal Walsh
Haas has revealed that Pietro Fittipaldi, grandson of two-time Formula 1 champion Emerson, was in talks with Haas over a possible test before his horrific crash at Spa. The Brazilian racer was competing in the World Endurance Championship last weekend with LMP1 squad DragonSpeed.
However, during qualifying for the six-hour race, the 21-year-old hit the barriers at Eau Rouge, breaking both of his legs. Fittipaldi was also scheduled to take part in the Indy 500 later this month with Dale Coyne Racing, but will miss out while he recovers.
In Barcelona, ahead of this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix, Haas team principal Guenther Steiner admitted that the team was in early talks with Fittipaldi over a possible F1 test: "There was nothing set, we were talking about it and then the accident happened," he said.
"He contacted us, I know his grandfather Emerson, they just said, ‘Can we do something together?' We didn’t stop talking [after the crash] but we stopped talk about [a test] because we don’t know what can be done. He’s well on the way to getting better. That’s the most important thing for me.”
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Replies (4)
Login to replyajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
If he's talented this is just a minor delay. Leg fractures would not prevent him (physically) in any way from being exactly at the same level he was before the accident. Hope it works out well. We need Brazilians in F1
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
I'd love for a greater variety in nationalities in F1.
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
@Calle yes, I agree with that. It's still surprising to me that we haven't had top talent from Asia make it to F1. Japan is a large market, they host some very competitive categories, long history with F1. Kamui Kobayashi was the closest to a top talent, but unfortunately it was short-lived.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Ya, and Kobayashi isnt even top crop over there. There are guys that are very similar to e.g Perez in Super GT, like Naoki Yamamoto, but he is too old for an F1 entry now. I think the recent lack of Japanese drivers in F1 can be explained by Honda's and Toyota's absence in the sport, thus no drivers were promoted, but its a shame either way. And its kinda beyond me why we havent really seen that many Americans or Canadians in F1 either, especially since money shouldnt be a concern for plenty of American drivers.