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
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- By: Rob Veenstra
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Driver profile
- Team Ferrari
- Points 21
- Podiums 0
- Grand Prix 62
- Country IT
- Date of b. Dec 14 1993 (32)
- Place of b. Martina Franca, IT
- Weight 63 kg
- Length 1.83 m
- 16,829 comments on Ferrari
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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
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Replies (2)
Login to replyPosts: 362
Years ago............. loads of Italians in F1, now it's rare, I wonder why?
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.