Giovinazzi or Ilott: Who deserves to secure the Ferrari-associated Alfa Romeo F1 Seat?

With F1 moving into the second half of the 2021 season, the teams have begun to reveal their full line-up for the following season. Alpine is the latest addition to the list amid Fernando Alonso’s contract renewal. However, a huge spotlight hovers over Alfa Romeo Racing.

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Before the summer break, rumors circulated that Valtteri Bottas was holding talks with the Sauber-led team about a possible seat in 2021. And it was clear that the Finn could replace Kimi Räikkönen, who is about to retire at the age of 41.

That is why Bottas is striving to become number 1 at Alfa Romeo. But what about the other seat?

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Antonio Giovinazzi’s contract will be terminated at the end of this season and there are no signs that Alfa Romeo will want to extend his stay. The reason is very clear.

Will Giovinazzi extend his contract with Alfa Romeo?

More and more drivers are showing interest in the seat and Alfa Romeo is most likely considering all the options available before making a final decision. One of the main names is Callum Ilott. So let’s take a look at who deserves the seat more.

Giovinazzi has had a few quiet seasons and hardly made a fuss on the track. But you can’t blame him for that, because the team seemed to be fighting all the time and therefore fell back into the bottom field of the starting grid.

Formula 1 F1 – Emilia Romagna Grand Prix – Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola, Italy – Alfa Romeo’s Antonio Giovinazzi goes before the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix REUTERS / Jennifer Lorenzini. around the track

Giovinazzi remains the only driver to have scored a point for Alfa Romeo this season. But will one point make a difference?

No. Alfa Romeo needs a refresh on the team as they are clearly heading for the 2020 Haas scenario. Even an Italian team confirmed their interest in starting the 2022 season with 2 fresh drivers. Therefore, Ilott is the best option right now.

The Briton dedicated 2020 entirely to Ferrari and given up Formula 2 and Formula 3. Ilott has spent a lot of time in the simulator, assisting Scuderia with ongoing and future developments in and outside of F1. Therefore, offering a seat at Alfa Romeo in 2021 is the least they can do for Ilott.

Why Ilott shouldn’t worry about Schumacher or Hulkenberg

There are obviously several drivers battling for the Sauber owned seat. There is Mick Schumacher. Let’s assume the German moves to Alfa Romeo in 2022.

This scenario would not affect Ilott much, as the Briton will then have a vacant seat at Haas alongside Nikita Mazepin. But what about drivers like Nico Hülkenberg who might be arriving from outside the current F1 starting field?

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Formula 1 F1 – Formula 1 – Azerbaijan Grand Prix – Baku City Circuit, Baku, Azerbaijan – June 3, 2021 Haas’ Mick Schumacher before the Grand Prix REUTERS / Anton Vaganov

Hulkenberg is longing for a comeback in Formula 1, but there is more good news for Ilott. With Hulkenberg associated with a Mercedes-backed Aston Martin, Williams remains the first choice.

As George Russell is due to switch Mercedes next season, the vacant seat next to Nicholas Latifi will tempt the Germans more. That leaves Ilott the leading contender for a ride at Alfa Romeo in 2022.

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And a Bottas-Ilott combination definitely looks juicy. How will the transfer market develop like a music armchair in the end?

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