F1 | Giovinazzi believes his F1 career isn’t over yet as shown by Albon and Ocon: “You never know what will happen in F1”
Antonio Giovinazzi completed his final Grand Prix with Alfa Romeo in Abu Dhabi, but the Italian believes he still has more to give the sport, opting to step into a reserve role with Ferrari in order to stay up to date
Antonio Giovinazzi had his first taste of Formula 1 in the opening two events of the 2017 season, filling the seat of an injured Pascal Wehrlein at Sauber, before signing a full time deal with the team from 2019 following their rebrand as Alfa Romeo. Giovinazzi enjoyed a three year spell with the team managing several points finishes in a less than competitive car as well as regularly outpacing his much more experienced teammate Kimi Raikkonen.
Despite his year on year improvements and numerous impressive performances, including 4 P11 results on the cusp of the points, throughout the 2021 season, Alfa Romeo felt Giovinazzi had not performed well enough to warrant an extension of his contract, instead opting to sign rookie Guanyu Zhou.
Although the Italian was unable to secure a seat in Formula 1 for next season, he will compete in Formula e with Dragon Penske Autosport, as well as taking up the role of reserve driver at Ferrari alongside Mick Schumacher. Giovinazzi has been clear in saying he intends to make his return to F1 in the future.
It’s going to be thrilling 👌
— Antonio Giovinazzi (@Anto_Giovinazzi) November 16, 2021
It’s going to be challenging 💪
It’s going to be: …….electrifying!!!!!! ⚡
Non vedo l’ora di iniziare questa nuova avventura, ci sarà da divertirsi, insieme, come sempre 💙#AG99🐝 #dragonpenskeautosport #formulae pic.twitter.com/2mQ1WEtvF0
“I’m leaving for now,” he said. “I posted my first picture in a F1 car when I was three years old on my social media. The last picture [in F1] is not this year. We saw already many drivers have stopped for one year and come back, like Esteban Ocon and Alex Albon.
“On my side, I had two years reserve driving for Ferrari in 2017 and 2018 and finally got my chance in 2019. You never know what will happen in F1. For now, I want to say thanks to all the people who have supported me in the last three years, to all the fans who supported me after the news, and to all the drivers here in F1 who texted me. It’s been a great three years.”
“One of the things I will do next is keep one foot in the F1 paddock,” he elaborated. “I’m still part of the Ferrari family. We’re trying to have the same things next year; it’s important to stay here and see if there is a chance in 2023. We’re looking for this, and I’d be happy to continue with them.
“Ferrari has been my first family here in F1, they took me from F2 and gave me the first chance to join a team in F1. For me it’s great if I’m still there with them next year. It’s one of the targets.”
