Fittipaldi name back in Formula 1 after 26 years, set to break a record

Pietro Fittipaldi is set to replace Romain Grosjean at Haas for this Sunday’s Sakhir Grand Prix at Bahrain International Circuit, marking the first time the Fittipaldi name has been in Formula 1 since 1994.

In what was slated to be the antepenultimate start of his five-year tenure with Haas and perhaps his Formula 1 career at Bahrain International Circuit on Sunday, Romain Grosjean was involved in a violent wreck which split his car in two and left it in a blazing inferno.

Fortunately, the 34-year-old Frenchman escaped only with burns to the backs of his hands. However, he will not be able to compete in this Sunday’s Sakhir Grand Prix at the outer layout of the same venue.

Pietro Fittipaldi is set to replace him for this 87-lap race around the 11-turn, 2.202-mile (3.544-kilometer) road course in Sakhir, Bahrain, the penultimate race of the 17-race 2020 season.

As a result, after more than two and a half decades, the Fittipaldi name is officially back in Formula 1.

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Pietro, the 24-year-old Brazilian who signed with Haas as their test driver for last year and remains their reserve driver in 2020, is the grandson of two-time world champion Emerson Fittipaldi, the first cousin once-removed of Christian Fittipaldi and the great-nephew of Wilson Fittipaldi.

The Fittipaldi name has not competed in Formula 1 since 1994, when Christian competed in his third and final season. Prior to Christian’s debut in 1992, the family had not competed in the sport since Emerson’s 11th and final season in 1980. Wilson competed in 1972, 1973 and 1975.

Here is what Haas team principal Guenther Steiner had to say about Pietro getting the opportunity to compete in Formula 1.

"“After it was decided that the best thing for Romain (Grosjean) was to skip at least one race, the choice to put Pietro (Fittipaldi) in the car was pretty easy. Pietro will drive the VF-20 and he’s familiar with us having been around the team for the past two seasons as a test and reserve driver. It’s the right thing to do and it’s obviously a good opportunity for him.“He’s been patient and was always prepared for this opportunity – and now it has come. That’s why we want him in the car and I’m sure he’ll do a good job. It’s very demanding being called in at the last minute, but as I said, I think it’s the right thing to do for Haas F1 Team.”"

Here is what Fittipaldi, who has made a total of seven test appearances for the sport’s lone American team, had to add.

"“Most importantly I’m happy Romain is safe and healthy. We’re all very happy his injuries are relatively minor after such a huge incident. Obviously, it’s not an ideal set of circumstances to get my first opportunity to compete in Formula 1, but I’m extremely grateful to Gene Haas and Guenther Steiner for their faith in putting me behind the wheel this weekend.“I’ve been with the team a lot this season, both trackside and working on simulator sessions, so I’m familiar with the team’s operating procedures on a grand prix weekend. It’s going to be exciting to make my first career start in Formula 1 – I’ll be giving it my all and I look forward to starting in free practice on Friday in Bahrain.”"

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With his start in this Sunday’s race, the 2017 Formula V8 3.5 champion is slated to make the Fittipaldi family the first ever to produce four Formula 1 drivers.

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