Giovinazzi admits to playing safe on Thursday

Antonio Giovinazzi admits that he held back when he drove in the wet on the final day of last week's pre-season test. The Italian stood in for Pascal Wehrlein at Sauber, as the Mercedes junior driver was sidelined on precaution due to a crash suffered at the Race of Champions.

Giovinazzi was focused on not ending his week in the barriers and therefore didn't push the C36: "A crash can happen, especially with this car, with a lot of grip and a lot different," he said. "But yes, I took it easy. Especially this morning when it was a wetter condition."

The track was soaked artificially by large tankers to the annoyance of some, who suggested wet testing should have taken place at Paul Ricard, a track that has its own sprinkler system.

The surface didn't take long to dry out, and Giovinazzi's only mishap was a lock up, which he defended by stating he was finding his limits.

"Everything is new for me so also to find the limit you need to lock sometimes and this I think is what happened,” he explained. "A driver is always in the limit, I need to see what is the limit so I was quite confident."

Giovinazzi is happy with his new experience, testing the 2017 car and is waiting on information on whether he will take the car to track again.

"I’m really happy with the programme we did, with the team and everything, a really good sensation," the 23-year-old said. "I think it was really important for me to get confidence with the car in different conditions. I did quite a lot of laps in the wet, intermediate, slick again. Then in the afternoon we repeat again the programme."

When asked if he would be driving again next week, he said: "I’m a Ferrari driver, so I’m waiting what Sauber say and what Ferrari say."

 

Fergal Walsh

Replies (0)

Login to reply

AZ Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

AZAzerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

World Championship standings 2025

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16
Australia
21 - Mar 23
China
4 - Apr 6
Japan
11 - Apr 13
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4
United States of America
16 - May 18
Italy
23 - May 25
Monaco
30 - Jun 1
Spain
13 - Jun 15
Canada
27 - Jun 29
Austria
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27
Belgium
1 - Aug 3
Hungary
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7
Italy
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5
Singapore
17 - Oct 19
United States of America
24 - Oct 26
Mexico
7 - Nov 9
Brazil
21 - Nov 23
United States of America
28 - Nov 30
Qatar
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23
4 - Apr 6
11 - Apr 13
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18
23 - May 25
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1
13 - Jun 15
27 - Jun 29
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27
1 - Aug 3
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5
17 - Oct 19
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26
7 - Nov 9
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team -
  • Points -
  • Podiums -
  • Grand Prix -
  • Country DE
  • Date of b. Oct 18 1994 (31)
  • Place of b. Sigmaringen, DE
  • Weight 61 kg
  • Length 1.77 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar