In Formula 1, just like in life in general, everything is about timing. Antonio Giovinazzi should have felt terrible when he knew that Ferrari has chosen Carlos Sainz to replace Sebastian Vettel over him. Indeed, he was part of the Ferrari family since a lot of time, as a member of the Prancing Horse’ Drivers Academy.

Talking about the causes that could have costed him a seat in Maranello, Giovinazzi said that he remains optimistic about his chances to drive in Ferrari in the future, as he paid the lack of experience in the comparison with the Spaniard.

1/2 Quando da bambino mi chiedevano cosa volessi fare da grande la mia risposta era: il pilota di @F1 .
Oggi quello che sognavo da bambino si realizza e dal prossimo anno avró l’onore di essere pilota del team @alfa_romeo @SauberF1Team . pic.twitter.com/zVF201K7qn

— Antonio Giovinazzi (@Anto_Giovinazzi) September 25, 2018

“It was maybe not the right time, just after 23 Grands Prix-  the Italian stated while talking with Sky Sport - “Of course, if the Ferrari call came this year, I would have gone straight away – but in my career, I always had some sliding doors. I only had one season. I know that Charles [Leclerc] also had one season and then went to Ferrari straight away, but from my side, I think if we look back, I struggled also in the second part of the season with the car, so I grew as a driver, [but] the results were not really there.

I was really happy to be part of that list to have maybe that possibility to take that seat.”I’m still part of Ferrari, and Mattia [Binotto, Ferrari Team Principal] says that they still follow me, and follow especially my career, which is something really great”- he then added.

“I’m sure if I can fight like I always did and do a lot of work like I’m doing now… I know that I’m still a Ferrari driver, so I’m sure I can have maybe a future opportunity.”

https://www.motorlat.com/notas/f1/15812/ricciardo-time-will-tell-if-mclaren-move-is-the-right-one

Maybe it was not the right time for the Italian to join Ferrari but he will have the chance to prove them wrong during the 2020 season and in the meantime he will gain some more experience and- as Rob Smedley said- to grow a thick skin.