Antonio Giovinazzi seeks "many" improvements in crunch third F1 season

Antonio Giovinazzi pre-season Bahrain — Photo: © LAT Images

Alfa Romeo

Giovinazzi seeks "many" improvements in crunch third F1 season

Several Ferrari academy drivers are after Giovinazzi's Alfa Romeo seat for 2022

Sam Hall

Monday 5 April 2021 14:17

Antonio Giovinazzi believes it imperative he makes a noticeable step forward in terms of performance this year knowing there are a number of Ferrari academy prospects eager to steal his Alfa Romeo seat for 2022.

Prior to Alfa Romeo confirming last year it would be retaining its line-up of Giovinazzi and Kimi Raikkonen for this season, Mick Schumacher had been repeatedly linked to the team.

Giovinazzi was instead granted a reprieve as Schumacher signed for Haas.

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But with Ferrari reserve driver Callum Ilott and F2 drivers Robert Shwartzman and Marcus Armstrong waiting in the wings for an F1 opportunity, Giovinazzi is aware he needs to own the Alfa Romeo seat this year.

Asked fof his hopes for the season, the Italian said: "From my side, it is just to improve myself as a driver.

"It is my third season so I want to grow as a driver, as I did from my first season to my second season, improve. I want to do another step forward.

“It is my third season so I will have more experience. Everything will look more simple, more normal and I can focus more on my side and improving different things.”

The upside for Giovinazzi is Alfa Romeo has an improved car this season seemingly capable of fighting on the fringes of the top-10 on a regular basis, as witnessed in the opening race in Bahrain where he finished 12th and Raikkonen 11th.

Further elaborating on specific areas where he believes improvements are required, he honestly added: “I think many of them.

"There is for sure the race pace where I can still improve. I think I did a great step last year but I think I can still improve. Of course also, in qualifying, you always want more and more.

“Last year I was quite strong on the first lap but I want more. Just improving myself.

"I think it is good to be again in a third season with Kimi, that we know each other and I can still improve myself by looking at what Kimi is doing because I think he is a driver with a lot of experience and is a good [reference] point."