Haas keen to re-open Fittipaldi test talks

Haas chief Günther Steiner is looking to re-open talks with Pietro Fittipaldi over a test run-out in the future after original plans for the Brazilian to complete some Formula 1 running had to be shelved.

2017 Formula V8 3.5 champion Fittipaldi had been in line to appear for Haas at the post-Spanish Grand Prix test, fulfilling its young driver allocation, only to break both his legs in a sports car accident at Spa in May.

The injuries impacted Fittipaldi's plans across the FIA World Endurance Championship, IndyCar and Super Formula for 2018, but was able to make his racing return at the IndyCar race at Mid-Ohio earlier this month, finishing 23rd.

Steiner confirmed in Hungary he had met up with Fittipaldi ahead of his racing return, and said he was happy to rekindle talks about an F1 test when the time was right.

"I met up with him before heading to Germany to see how he’s doing. He’s doing pretty well," Steiner said.

"I just said get back racing and then we speak again when you feel you are ready again. He needs to get comfortable again. He was testing and I didn't speak with him after he was testing I just read what was said in the media that he felt comfortable.

"I'll go and see him again when I am back in North Carolina and we see what we can do for him at the end of the year. We didn’t have a contract with him, we were speaking about the possibility of him doing something, and then we stopped when he had his legs broken.

"Now we need to pick it up again when he’s up to it."

Fittipaldi's most realistic opportunity to complete running for Haas will come at the post-season test at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, which has traditionally featured a number of young drivers in recent years.