“Pietro will drive the VF-20 and he’s familiar with us having been around the team for the past two seasons as a test and reserve driver. It’s the right thing to do and it’s obviously a good opportunity for him. He’s been patient and was always prepared for this opportunity – and now it has come. That’s why we want him in the car and I’m sure he’ll do a good job.
“It’s very demanding being called in at the last minute, but as I said, I think it’s the right thing to do for Haas F1 Team.”
He will be the fourth member of the Fittipaldi family to race in F1, following Emerson, as well as Wilson and Christian Fittipaldi.
Pietro won the Formula V8 3.5 championship back in 2017 and has several DTM and IndyCar race starts since then.
Most recently for Haas, he took part in the pre-season tests ahead of the 2019 season, but the Sakhir GP will be the first time the Brazilian has been at the wheel of the 2020 VF-20 car.
“Most importantly I’m happy Romain is safe and healthy,” Fittipaldi said.
“We’re all very happy his injuries are relatively minor after such a huge incident. Obviously, it’s not an ideal set of circumstances to get my first opportunity to compete in Formula 1, but I’m extremely grateful to Gene Haas and Guenther Steiner for their faith in putting me behind the wheel this weekend.
“I’ve been with the team a lot this season, both trackside and working on simulator sessions, so I’m familiar with the team’s operating procedures on a grand prix weekend. It’s going to be exciting to make my first career start in Formula 1 – I’ll be giving it my all and I look forward to starting in free practice on Friday in Bahrain.”