Paul Jeffrey
Premium
Alfa Romeo Racing have confirmed Antonio Giovinazzi will be retained alongside Kimi Raikkonen in Formula One next season, seemingly closing the door on Nico Hulkenberg retaining his place on the starting grid in 2020.
Giovinazzi started life in Formula One this year rather slowly for Alfa Romeo, often finding himself overshadowed by elder statesman Kimi Raikkonen in the white and red Alfa during the early part of the season. However, following something of a resurgence following the summer break, the 25-year-old Italian has seemingly done enough to convince his team that the Ferrari contracted driver is worth retaining for another year, inking a contract extension that will see him remain at the Swiss squad for another 12 months.
2020 will again see the Italian team up with the most experienced driver on the grid in the form of 40-year-old Kimi Raikkonen, both drivers have contributed points to the teams current eighth place in the constructors standings with only the final three races of the season remaining.
Although Giovinazzi has been outscored by Raikkonen 4 points to 31, the last half dozen races have shown increased speed and racecraft from the Italian, leading to points finishes at the Red Bull Ring (10th), Spa (9th) and a 10th place finish in front of his home fans at Monza.
With the last realistic seat for next season now taken, Nico Hulkenberg is looking ever increasingly likely to find himself without a drive in Formula One next year. The 32-year-old 177 Grand Prix veteran has already ruled himself out of a drive at Williams, and it remains likely that both Red Bull and Toro Rosso will retain drivers from within their own driver development family.
Giovinazzi started life in Formula One this year rather slowly for Alfa Romeo, often finding himself overshadowed by elder statesman Kimi Raikkonen in the white and red Alfa during the early part of the season. However, following something of a resurgence following the summer break, the 25-year-old Italian has seemingly done enough to convince his team that the Ferrari contracted driver is worth retaining for another year, inking a contract extension that will see him remain at the Swiss squad for another 12 months.
“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 Team Principle Frédéric Vasseur of today's announcement.
"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.”
2020 will again see the Italian team up with the most experienced driver on the grid in the form of 40-year-old Kimi Raikkonen, both drivers have contributed points to the teams current eighth place in the constructors standings with only the final three races of the season remaining.
Although Giovinazzi has been outscored by Raikkonen 4 points to 31, the last half dozen races have shown increased speed and racecraft from the Italian, leading to points finishes at the Red Bull Ring (10th), Spa (9th) and a 10th place finish in front of his home fans at Monza.
With the last realistic seat for next season now taken, Nico Hulkenberg is looking ever increasingly likely to find himself without a drive in Formula One next year. The 32-year-old 177 Grand Prix veteran has already ruled himself out of a drive at Williams, and it remains likely that both Red Bull and Toro Rosso will retain drivers from within their own driver development family.
