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Alfa Romeo has confirmed that Antonio Giovinazzi will remain with the team for the 2020 Formula 1 season.
Giovinazzi joined Alfa Romeo as a full-time driver in 2019, having competed in two races for it in 2017 when it contested under the name of Sauber.
The Italian picked up his first points in F1 at the Austrian Grand Prix earlier this year, and has followed it up with two other top-ten finishes.
At the Singapore Grand Prix, where he eventually finished tenth, Giovinazzi found himself in the lead of the race for four laps before he made a pit stop.
“I am very happy to be staying with the team for 2020," Giovinazzi said. "I am grateful for the incredible level of support I received in my first full season in Formula 1.
"Everyone in the team has stuck by my side since I joined and I am really looking forward to continuing our journey together. We learned a lot this year and I am confident we can make a big step forward next season.
"I won’t be a rookie anymore so there won’t be any excuses for me: I want to be competitive right from the start of the championship and repay the confidence the team has shown in me.”
The 25-year-old, who finished second in the 2016 GP2 championship, currently sits in 18th place in the drivers' championship.
Alfa Romeo team principal Frederic Vasseur highlighted that the team is looking forward to extracting the full potential from Giovinazzi in 2020.
"Antonio has done really well this year and I am extremely pleased to be able to confirm he will stay with Alfa Romeo Racing for 2020," said Vasseur.
"The way he has integrated into the team and has consistently improved throughout his first full season in the sport are very promising and we cannot wait to unlock his full potential as we continue to work together.
"Antonio has emerged as a very quick driver, even alongside as tough a benchmark as Kimi, and we expect him to develop even further as his experience grows.
"His technical feedback, work ethics and positive approach will help us continue to push our team forward, and so will the consistency of an unchanged line-up for next season."
Grand Prix of Belgium
G. Zhou
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Replies (6)
Login to replyajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
meh... I whether he has done enough to stay on the grid is debatable. However, it really helps that he is Italian and that Kimi hit his annual mediocrity period. Tonio has looked pretty good next to Kimi since the summer break
Ram Samartha
Posts: 1,172
It's been clear that Kimi was driving hurt for several weeks. If you look at some of the footage from the past few races he is clearly in pain when walking. It must be worse when he's driving. This weekend is the first time he has looked back to his old form since he got hurt.
xoya
Posts: 583
Too bad for Hulk. :/
He is much better than some of the drivers on the grid.
Best driver not to score a podium and 2nd best driver never to win a race (for me at least), first one being Nick Heidfeld.
michielhimself
Posts: 132
I think the best driver never to win a race is Chris Amon. I've never seen Hulkenberg or Heidfeld drive their equipment to a higher level than what it was ordinarily capable of, which is that flash of brilliance that a driver needs to bring IMHO to be among the "best".
Pistonhead
Posts: 556
Its bye bye for Hulk me think now.
Ram Samartha
Posts: 1,172
Hulk probably should have taken the 1 year deal with Renault. It would have given him 1 more year to prove himself, but it looks like he needs to move on from F1. He's not as fast as Danny Ric so I just don't see any other top teams picking him up. Renault was his best chance and he kind of bit the hand that fed him. OK, on principle he turned down a 1 year deal because he wanted a longer contract but 1 year guaranteed is better than no seat guaranteed. Good luck Nico!