via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Spanish Grand Prix – Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain – May 7, 2021 Alfa Romeo Racing Team Principal Frederic Vasseur talks in the Team Principals Press Conference FIA/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS – THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES
via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Spanish Grand Prix – Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain – May 7, 2021 Alfa Romeo Racing Team Principal Frederic Vasseur talks in the Team Principals Press Conference FIA/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS – THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES
Alfa Romeo has brought in Valtteri Bottas to replace Kimi Raikkonen, who will retire at the end of the season. This means that one of the seats for the 2022 season is confirmed. Antonio Giovinazzi, the reserve driver of Ferrari and their second driver, has an uncertain future.
Team boss, Frederic Vasseur, is willing to be patient with the Italian driver but hasn’t crossed off the idea of bringing someone else for the upcoming season. He hopes that Antonio improves for the rest of the season, to convince the team to give him an extension.
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Giovinazzi still has a chance to prove himself to stay at Alfa Romeo
The Swiss-based team has confirmed one of the seats for the 2022 season, leaving Giovinazzi‘s future hanging in the balance. However, if the Italian does improve for the upcoming races, Alfa Romeo might not give him a deal for next year.
As quoted by Motorsport.com, Vasseur said, “The advantage of his position is that we can afford it. We are in contact with some drivers and it is up to us. It offers Antonio the chance to show that he can improve.”
via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Monaco Grand Prix – Circuit de Monaco, Monte Carlo, Monaco – Alfa Romeo’s Antonio Giovinazzi in action during practice REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes
“After all, he is the guy who is in the car and can show that he is doing well and can improve. It’s a lot more frustrating when you’re not in the car and you have to wait and see if the other person is doing well or badly. Antonio has that opportunity, and he must seize it,” Vasseur explained. (Translated from Turkish via Google)
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How has the Ferrari-affiliated driver been performing this season?
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The 2021 season hasn’t been going well for the 27-year-old. Antonio’s best result came at the Monaco Grand Prix, where he placed tenth; picking up a single point for his team.
via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Emilia Romagna Grand Prix – Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola, Italy – Alfa Romeo’s Antonio Giovinazzi walks around the track ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix REUTERS/Jennifer Lorenzini
So far, Giovinazzi has crossed the line outside the top-10, missing opportunities to seize some crucial points, to help his team get ahead in the constructor’s championship.
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However, with a few more races left this season, the Italian hopes to pick up the pace and bag some much-needed points for Alfa Romeo. What are your predictions for Antonio, as he aims to prove himself to deserve a chance for the 2022 season? Let us know in the comments below.
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