Pietro Fittipaldi Q&A: Mexico City Grand Prix
October 27, 2022
Our test and reserve driver, Pietro Fittipaldi looks ahead to the first of his two FP1 outings, as he takes the car in Mexico City.
Mexico will be your first time back in the VF-22 since pre-season testing in February. What does it mean to get an opportunity to drive this season’s Formula 1 car in a free practice session?
“It’s a great opportunity. It’s definitely different to run in testing to running during an official race weekend in practice and I want to do a great job for the team. It’s going to be the first time for me in a Formula 1 car in Mexico so that will be pretty exciting. I want to do a good run for the team, go through all the run plan and do a solid job.”
When taking part in a free practice session, what objectives does the team set and what are your own personal targets?
“On Thursday we’ll go over the run plan and what the objectives are because it could be focusing on qualifying runs or high fuel running for the race, so we’ll see what the team priority is and I’ll look to do my best job on Friday.
"My personal targets are to perform at my best and make sure that I show the team again what I can do. Every time you get an opportunity in Formula 1, I always see it as a job interview, so every time you’ve got the chance to get behind the wheel, you’ve got to do your best.”
What experience do you have around the Autódromo Hermanos Rodriguez, and with the circuit 2km above sea level, have you had to any added training to physically prepare for the conditions?
“The only time I’ve raced there was in 2017 in the World Series V8 3.5 Championship, and I have two pole positions and two wins, so I have a good record over there. I hope to stay successful after FP1 with Haas. I’m always ready – I’ve been doing sports car racing and endurance racing this year which is extremely physical and tasking mentally.
"I’ve had a good couple of races recently in sports cars and I come off a good rhythm, and I think that’s important. I train a lot throughout the whole year, especially with the neck which is the most important thing. FP1 in Mexico is only one hour long so it’s not too tasking so I have no doubt that I’ll be ready.”