Giovinazzi handed two FP1 outings by Haas at Monza, Austin

Antonio Giovinazzi will drive for the Haas Formula 1 team in two FP1 sessions in the second half of the year, the team has announced.

Giovinazzi left F1 at the end of last year after Alfa Romeo chose to not keep him on for another season, switching to the all-electric Formula E series for 2022.

The Italian, who has 62 grand prix’s under his belt, is a Ferrari junior graduate and has been juggling a reserve driver role at the Scuderia alongside his Formula E drive.

On Monday morning, Haas confirmed Giovinazzi will get behind the wheel of the VF-22 at the Italian Grand Prix on September 9 and the team’s home race at the Circuit of the Americas on October 21.

It will mark Giovinazzi’s first outing for Haas since testing for the American-owned outfit in 2017, with current drivers Kevin Magnussen and Mick Schumacher each vacating their seats for one free practice session.

“We’re happy to welcome Antonio Giovinazzi back to the team for the two FP1 outings,” said Haas team principal Gunther Steiner.

“Ferrari were keen to give Antonio some seat time in a current-spec Formula 1 car on a race weekend and we were naturally happy to assist.

“We enjoyed a similar situation back in 2017 with Antonio and Ferrari – the clear difference between then and now is the experience he’ll have gained competing for the previous three seasons in Formula 1 and the feedback he’ll be able to give us in Italy and America.

“I’m looking forward to seeing Antonio again and having him back in the paddock with us.”

The news of Giovinazzi’s practice runs comes during a height of silly season when he has been linked with a return to F1 in 2023.

Magnussen is locked in for next year after singing a multi-year deal in his comeback year, but Schumacher doesn’t have a contract beyond 2022.

Steiner has stressed he is in no rush to sit down with Schumacher to begin contract talks, fuelling speculation the German could be moved aside.

Moreover, Giovinazzi does not meet the rules that require every team to run a young driver in two FP1 sessions, further adding to the theories.

“I’m so glad to have the chance to drive again in official F1 sessions,” Giovinazzi said.

“Besides simulator driving it is important to test a true car and I can’t wait to put my suit and helmet back on. It’ll be an opportunity to get confident with the new generation cars – it’s the best way to be ready if I were called as reserve driver.

“Driving on challenging and exciting tracks as Monza and COTA makes it even more thrilling. Thanks to Haas F1 Team and Scuderia Ferrari – I’m looking forward to giving my contribution to the team that counted on me already in 2017.”