News has come from the Haas camp, as they announce that they will give Antonio Giovinazzi seven free practice runs during the rest of the 2017 season. This latest development begs the question: is Ferrari evaluating Giovinazzi for Kimi Räikkönen’s seat next season?
Giovinazzi currently serves as Ferrari’s test driver in their young driver programme, but also participated two races at the start of season when he replaced an injured Pascal Wehrlein on Sauber. Giovinazzi will replace Kevin Magnussen during the first free practice session in Britain, Hungary, Italy, Malaysia, Brazil and Abu Dhabi. He will also be replacing Romain Grosjean during the first free practice session in Mexico.
With Kimi Räikkönen set to leave Ferrari the end of the season and enter retirement, it’s possible that Ferrari is evaluating Giovinazzi’s performance to decide whether or not to take him for the 2018 season. Ferrari’s close ties with the Haas F1 Team could be the reason that Haas has decided to allow him to drive their car.
The 23 year old is highly regarded at Ferrari and a move to Ferrari in 2018 would make Giovinazzi the first Italian Ferrari driver since Giancarlo Fisichella at the end of 2009.
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