More problems caused Haas to miss the first morning of the Bahrain test

Due to freight problems, Haas will begin their week of F1 test in Bahrain later than expected, with Pietro Fittipaldi expected to take to the racetrack on Thursday afternoon.

Haas’ pre-season test have been further hampered by freight problems, with the team being unable race during Thursday morning’s test session at the Bahrain International Circuit.

The team’s beginning to the three-day test has been put back after some of Haas’ critical cargo was held up in the United Kingdom sooner this week. With needed freight not arriving in Sakhir until Tuesday night, the team’s start has been pushed back.

“The team’s freight arrived late last night to the circuit in Bahrain,” read a short statement from Haas on their social media channels.

“This delay will impact our programme but we are targeting being out on track for the second session [on] Thursday afternoon.”

Fittipaldi steps in after Mazepin dropped

Meanwhile, Haas has announced that Pietro Fittipaldi will fill in for the suspended Nikita Mazepin at this week’s test.

The Brazilian-American, who is the grandson of two-time Formula One World Champion Emerson, has previously served as a backup driver for Haas, replacing the injured Romain Grosjean towards the conclusion of 2020.

After the American-led team cut links with Russian main sponsor Uralkali – Mazepin’s seat with the team was supported by the potash fertiliser firm – Fittipaldi will race the Haas VF-22 left vacant by Mazepin.

Following the introduction of stringent economic restrictions on Russian corporations as a result of the country’s military involvement in Ukraine, Haas promptly removed their Uralkali branding during pre-season testing in Barcelona before announcing the contract’s cancellation.

Haas is yet to announce who will take Mazepin’s seat for the upcoming season.

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