Antonio Giovinazzi says a ‘big sorry’ to Haas after FP1 crash

Antonio Giovinazzi has said sorry to the Haas team after he crashed out early on during his FP1 run-out at the United States Grand Prix.

The Italian filled in for Kevin Magnussen during the first practice session of the weekend but his time in the car was over pretty much before it had even begun as he lost control of the car and crashed into the barrier.

Giovinazzi did look as if he had beached himself into the wall but after some persisitent trying, he was able to free himself which revealed the extent of the damage he had caused to the car.

The right end of the front wing had been ripped off and there was talk of a problem with the rear brake as well. The stand-in returned to the Haas garage where his session was prematurely finished.

Haas revealed the crash had damaged the clutch but the team were able to repair it in time forMagnussen’s return in an elongated FP2 session.

Speaking to F1.com afterwards, Giovinazzi said a “big sorry” to the team.

“I was pushing and there was a lot of gusts of wind and I lost the car,” the 28-year-old explained. “I got stuck in the barriers there and then I burnt the clutch to go out.

“Unfortunately then the session was over.

“I said a big sorry to the team but it’s racing and sometimes it happens.”

The run-out, which was not part of the FIA’s rookie rule as Giovinazzi is not eligible, was seen by many as an audition for the Italian to earn a spot in the team for next season with the seat still yet to be filled.

If that were the case, it could hardly have gone worse for him as he demonstrated the same downside that has seemingly ruled Mick Schumacher out, costing Haas money.

Giovinazzi has so far spent a year out of Formula 1 having been replaced by Zhou Guanyu at Alfa Romeo for the 2022 season. He switched to Formula E but ended the season last in the standings.

He has since driven for Haas at the Italian Grand Prix and now in Austin but is still not sure what the future holds for him as searches for a way back onto the F1 grid.

“我不t know yet, we’ll see what will happen,” the Ferrari reserve driver said. “There’s only four races left so let’s see what happens.”

Read more:Guenther Steiner weighs in on Antonio Giovinazzi crash: It ‘wasn’t fantastic’