Amid the toughest title fight in F1 history and the departure of the enigmatic Kimi Raikkonen after a career spanning two decades, Antonio Giovinazzi’s departure after three years at Alfa Romeo in Abu Dhabi stayed a little under the radar …
The 28-year-old Italian had a solid but unspectacular time in Formula 1 with 62 starts and 21 points.
Support from Ferrari, with whom he has been connected since 2017 after the late Sergio Marchionne (then CEO of Ferrari) urged him to join the family, resulted in a Formula 1 debut with Sauber for two one-off appearances, before he got a full-time ride for 2019.
WATCH: “I just did what made me happy” – Take an animated journey through Kimi Raikkonen’s stellar career
Although he improved every season, he failed to deliver strong results to convince Alfa Romeo to keep him for a fourth year as Ferrari no longer had a say in any of the Swiss team’s seats. But that is not due to a lack of experimentation. He finished 11th four times in 2021 and had six other top 13 appearances. He was close – just not close enough often.
Giovinazzi has a full-time seat in Formula 1 with Alfa Romeo for three seasons
Alfa Romeo decided to take rookie Zhou Guanyu alongside Valtteri Bottas, who joins Mercedes after five years, with Giovinazzi learning the news in Brazil. For a long time, however, it was speculated that he would be out, which is why the Italian and his team had already looked for alternatives – and shortly after Alfa Romeo’s announcement, Giovinazzi was able to confirm that he would compete in Formula E next year.
It is clear that Giovinazzi wanted to stay. He doesn’t think his F1 journey is over – and is fully focused on getting back to the sport in 2023.
BEYOND THE GRID: Horner, Ricciardo, Leclerc and more are the stars of our Best of 2021 episode
“I’m leaving for now,” he told me when we were talking in front of the Alfa Romeo hospitality unit. “I posted my first picture in an F1 car on my social media when I was three years old. the last Picture [in F1] is not this year. We have seen a lot of drivers stop and come back for a year, like Esteban Ocon and Alex Albon.
“On my side, I had two years reserve driver for Ferrari in 2017 and 2018, and in 2019 I finally got my chance. You never know what will happen in F1. For now, I’d like to thank everyone who has supported me over the past three years, to all of the fans who have supported me after the news, and to all of the drivers here in F1 who texted me. It was a great three years. “
Having previously tested for Ferrari, Giovinazzi will be one of the team’s reserves in 2022
When it became clear that Alfa Romeo might cut ties, Giovinazzi began talks with Ferrari about continuing his relationship with the Italian team beyond the end of the season from the consciousness of the F1 teams – with the dovetailing of a racing season in Formula E.
“One of the things I’ll do next is keep one foot in the F1 paddock,” he said in Qatar. “I am [currently] 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 any chance in 2023. We are looking for it and I would like to continue. “
He added: “Ferrari was my first family here in F1, they got me out of F2 and gave me my first chance to join a team in F1. For me, it’s great if I’m still there next year. It’s one of the goals. “
WATCH: Raikkonen and Giovinazzi try to scare each other on their hot laps in Jeddah
And he was successful, the Italian signing a contract to be Ferrari’s reserve – to split the role with Mick Schumacher – for the next season. He will spend a lot of time in the simulator so that he can familiarize himself with the new generation cars in 2022.
Antonio Giovinazzi: “I don’t think this will be my last race in F1”
That will put him in a solid position when the driver market kicks in in 2023 and more than half of the starters get out of the contract by the end of next year.
READ MORE: Schumacher and Giovinazzi will fill Ferrari’s reserve role in 2022
Finding a way back won’t be easy – as Ocon and Albon will tell you – but Giovinazzi remains confident he can make it.
