Antonio Giovinazzi says he will be back in red gear when he returns to the F1 paddock in two weeks. Ferrari's new reserve driver got a shock call-up to the race grid in Australia, when Sauber's Mercedes-backed main driver Pascal Wehrlein pulled out with apparent fitness concerns.
Giovinazzi, a standout in GP2 last year, was widely hailed for his performance. "It was a perfect weekend because an Italian driver was back in F1 and Ferrari returned to winning," he told the Italian broadcaster Sky in Melbourne.
Giovinazzi, 23, admitted that although Wehrlein pulled out due to a lack of training, he too suffered with fitness issues in Australia. "Physically it was tough," he said, "especially my neck in the closing laps. It takes practice because cornering in F1 is completely different. In two weeks I will be in China dressed in red. Then we'll see."
Indeed, German Wehrlein has said he is determined to be fully fit for Shanghai, even if there are rumours political influences could see Giovinazzi back in the Sauber soon. "Antonio has a good future," A Ferrari insider is quoted by Speed Week.
"His talent is obvious -- everyone at Ferrari and Sauber can see it. Now we have to observe whether Wehrlein is fit for China and Bahrain. If not, Giovinazzi is there. And then it's clear -- if Kimi Raikkonen is not interested in 2018 or Ferrari wants to invest in youth, then Antonio will take his place," the insider added. (GMM)
Giovinazzi happy with 'perfect' debut weekend
- Published on 27 Mar 2017 10:58
-
2
- By: Rob Veenstra
.
Trending news
-
Schumacher Says Verstappen Was Truly Unbelievable at the Nurburgring: "Nobody Else Would Have Dared"Ralf Schumacher watched Max Verstappen's performance at the 24 Hours of the Nurburgring and ran out of ways to de...
21 May 2026 11:20 -
Hamilton Says He Is Very Happy at Ferrari and Pushes Back on Exit RumoursLewis Hamilton is not going anywhere. The seven-time world champion has pushed back directly on the reports suggestin...
21 May 2026 15:25 -
Herbert Praises the Verstappen-Lambiase Partnership as One of the Greatest in Modern F1Johnny Herbert has watched a lot of driver-engineer relationships over the course of a career that has included years...
21 May 2026 12:21 -
Piquet Jr Fears for Russell: "This Could Be the Beginning of the End"Nelson Piquet Jr has watched the first four races of the Mercedes internal battle and come away worried about George ...
21 May 2026 14:24 -
Schumacher Warns Albon He Needs to Perform or Williams Will Look ElsewhereAlexander Albon is under pressure at Williams and the person making that point most directly this week is Ralf Schuma...
21 May 2026 13:23
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Local time
-
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Local time
-
Friday
-
Saturday
-
Sunday
-
Friday
-
Saturday
-
Sunday
Test calendar
Circuit de Catalunya - Winter testing
-
Jan 26
I. Hadjar
- 1:18.159
-
-
-
Jan 27
M. Verstappen
- 1:19.578
-
-
-
Jan 28
A. Antonelli
- 1:17.362
-
-
-
Jan 29
G. Russell
- 1:16.445
-
-
-
Jan 30
L. Hamilton
- 1:16.348
-
-
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
-
Feb 11
L. Norris
- 1:34.669
-
-
-
Feb 12
C. Leclerc
- 1:34.273
-
-
-
Feb 13
A. Antonelli
- 1:33.669
-
-
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
-
Feb 18
G. Russell
- 1:33.459
-
-
Feb 19
A. Antonelli
- 1:32.803
-
-
Feb 20
C. Leclerc
- 1:31.992
-
-
World Championship standings 2026
Pos
Driver
Team
Points
Pos
Team
Points
Related news
Give your opinion!
Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Spain
-
Bahrain
-
Bahrain
Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
-
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
-
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
-
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
6 - Mar 8
Australia
Albert Park
13 - Mar 15
27 - Mar 29
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
10 - Apr 12
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
1 - May 3
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
22 - May 24
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
5 - Jun 7
Monaco
Monte Carlo
12 - Jun 14
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
Driver profile
- Team Ferrari
- Points 21
- Podiums 0
- Grand Prix 62
- Country Italy
- Date of b. Dec 14 1993 (32)
- Place of b. Martina Franca, Italy
- Weight 63 kg
- Length 1.83 m
- 16,829 comments on Ferrari
0 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Antonio Giovinazzi
Team profile
- Team name Sauber
- Base - Switzerland
- Gabriel Bortoleto
- Kimi Räikkönen 7
- Felipe Massa 8
- Marcus Ericsson 9
- Nico Hülkenberg 11
- Felipe Nasr 12
- Esteban Gutierrez 12
- Felipe Massa 12
- Felipe Massa 12
- Kamui Kobayashi 14
- Sergio Perez 15
- Charles Leclerc 16
- Kamui Kobayashi 16
- Sergio Perez 17
- Kimi Räikkönen 17
- Esteban Gutierrez 21
- Kamui Kobayashi 23
- Guanyu Zhou 24
- Nico Hülkenberg 27
- Antonio Giovinazzi 36
- Valtteri Bottas 77
- Pascal Wehrlein 94
- Adrian Sutil 99
- 115,816 comments on Sauber
- 5 members have this team as their favourite
- Tweets about Sauber
Replies (2)
Login to replytalktohenry
Posts: 362
Years ago............. loads of Italians in F1, now it's rare, I wonder why?
Mr N71
Posts: 31
It was good for a short notice jump in the car but he was very slow, and he got lots of hours in Ferrari simulator. But Giovinazzi team mate Ericson was faster in the other Sauber even with a broken car until it gave up.