After a difficult year of rookie alongside Kimi Raikkonen in 2019, Antonio Giovinazzi’s performance improved in his second season in F1. In front of a much more experienced teammate, the Italian added four points, like him, and surpassed him in the classification by 9 to 8.
Giovinazzi convinced Ferrari to keep the seat for the third consecutive season at Alfa Romeo. Those from Maranello decided to place Formula 2 champion Mick Schumacher at Haas.
The Alfa Romeo team boss, Fred vasseur, said to Motorsport.com that he hopes Giovinazzi can continue his upward trajectory and in 2021 become the team leader.
Ferrari, meanwhile, has also set “clear” targets for his third season.
“For Ferrari it is quite clear: they want it to continue progressing [como] driver and get results, “Giovinazzi explained to Motorsport.com.” It’s pretty clear from me as well, so that’s my goal for next season. “
“On the other hand, I want to work well with the team again, as we have done in the last two seasons, I already feel like family because it will be my third year with them.”
“It’s nice to be working together again, and also with Kimi. It will also be easier to progress as a driver.”
In 2020 both Raikkonen and Giovinazzi struggled to score more points due to an uncompetitive car that was not helped by the lack of performance from the Ferrari engine.
Giovinazzi knows that his own progression will inevitably be linked to the performance of his car, but he praised Alfa Romeo’s motivation, despite the lack of results.
“Hopefully we have a better car and it is easier to be in the points,” said the 27-year-old Italian. “Hopefully we can make a big improvement in terms of performance. And then results.”
“I think for the team, when you are behind there, it is not easy. I always try to push my boys, the team, so that they always do well. In the end I think we did quite well, I always see the boys quite motivated ”.
“Of course, when you get points, you notice that the motivation in the next race is much higher, but I can’t complain about my mechanics, my team, because they always push very hard and it was nice to see them last season.”