Pietro Fittipaldi headed out on track in the Haas for the afternoon session as the team made its delayed start to testing.
Fittipaldi – the team’s reserve driver – was out first in the Haas’ after the team missed the morning run due to travel issues.
The delay came as the outfit’s spare parts were stuck at the airport in Doncaster awaiting shipment to Bahrain.
However, they managed to make it out just in time on Day One, which gave fans a first look at an all-new livery on the car after the title sponsor, Uralkali, was dropped along with Russian driver Nikita Mazepin.
Haas recently confirmed that it was terminating Nikita Mazepin’s contract in light of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Meanwhile, its title sponsor Uralkali was dropped with immediate effect as well, as many sporting bodies sanction Russian competitors and sponsors.
Mazepin’s dismissal meant the team had to choose who will line up alongside Mick Schumacher on the grid for the 2022 Formula 1 season kicking off in a matter of weeks.
It quickly confirmed that Kevin Magnussen would fill the role alongside Mick Schumacher in the 2022 FIA Formula 1 World Championship.
The Danish driver has signed a multi-year contract agreement with the American outfit just weeks before the season opener.
“I was obviously very surprised but equally very excited to receive the call from Haas F1 Team,” said Magnussen.
“I was looking in a different direction regarding my commitments for 2022 but the opportunity to return to compete in Formula 1, and with a team, I know extremely well, was simply too appealing.
“I really have to say thank you to both Peugeot and Chip Ganassi Racing for releasing me promptly – both are great organizations.
“Naturally, I also want to thank Gene Haas and Guenther Steiner for the chance to resume my Formula 1 career – I know just how competitive they both are and how keen they are to return to competing week in and week out.
“We’ve enjoyed a solid relationship and our positive association remained even when I left at the end of 2020. I’ve been briefed as much as possible on the development of the VF-22 and the potential in the package.
“There’s work to do but I’m excited to be a part of it. I can’t wait to get back behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car in Bahrain.”
