Haas F1 test driver Fittipaldi gets Audi 2019 DTM drive

Haas Formula 1 test driver Pietro Fittipaldi will compete in the 2019 DTM championship with the WRT Audi squad.

The grandson of two-time F1 world champion Emerson has signed for a full-season assault on the series having taken part in the official pre-season test at the Lausitzring.

Fittipaldi, 22, will partner Formula 3 racer Jonathan Aberdein in the Belgian outfit’s driver line-up for its maiden DTM campaign.

Team principal Vincent Vosse said: “We are delighted to welcome Pietro alongside Jonathan, and we are now fully geared to take up the challenge of our maiden season in a fantastic series such as the DTM.

“I want to thank Günther Steiner and Haas F1 Team for allowing Pietro to be with us. At Team WRT, we have a long-standing tradition on betting on youth and give concrete opportunities to young, talented and fast drivers, and that has always paid off.

“It makes us proud to join the DTM with the youngest pair of drivers of the 2019 field.”

Fittipaldi, who drove for Haas during 2019 F1 pre-season testing in Barcelona, added: “I want to thank Team WRT and Audi Sport for their support and trust, which are allowing me to join an exciting series such as the DTM.

“It’s probably one of the most competitive series in the world, and I can’t think of a more exciting challenge. The test at the Lausitzring went very well, we did a good job and tested everything we wanted to test.

“I am very pleased to work with such a great group of people. It was my first time in Lausitz and my first time with the Audi RS 5 DTM, which is different from anything I have driven so far.

“The sessions were very useful to familiarize with the car and start exploring the limits. We know that we have a lot of work ahead of us and much to learn, but I am definitely enthusiastic about the package and the project.”

The 2019 DTM season begins at Hockenheim on May 4-5.