Sauber F1: Giovinazzi replaces Ericsson
NEW DRIVER DUO 2019 Antonio Giovinazzi will drive alongside Kimi Räikkönen in the Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team in the 2019 World Championship season. The Italian has already been the reserve driver for two years. The decision to hire Antonio Giovinazzi, he said, is particularly relevant in view of the project that Alfa Romeo is launching after an absence of more than 30 years [...]
The decision to hire Antonio Giovinazzi was particularly relevant in view of the project that saw Alfa Romeo return to Formula 1 after an absence of more than 30 years, he said.
An Italian in a team with Italian engines (currently still Ferrari) and an Italian title sponsor - the Hinwil team will be increasingly Italian in character from 2019. And Italy will thus also be permanently represented again in the 2019 driver field.
Formula 1 debut as Sauber reserve driver in spring 2017
In 2016, Antonio Giovinazzi was second overall in the GP2 series behind Pierre Gasly, who will drive for Red Bull Racing in 2019. Ferrari took notice of the five-time GP2 season winner and signed him up, just like his future teammate Charles Leclerc.
The soon-to-be 25-year-old Italian (on December 14) made his Formula 1 debut at Sauber a year and a half ago. He replaced the injured Pascal Wehrlein at the 2017 season opener in Australia and then in China.
In Melbourne, he finished twelfth without prior testing, and in Shanghai he crashed. Since then, Giovinazzi has completed a number of tests and free practice sessions for the Swiss team.
Finally no more pay drivers
According to the Sauber team, the Italian will take Leclerc's place. De facto, however, it's more likely to be that of Marcus Ericcson, as the swap of Leclerc with Kimi Räikkönen at Scuderia Ferrari had already been announced two weeks ago.
Ericsson, who has been a regular driver at Sauber F1 for five years, will remain with Formula 1 and the team. The Swede will take on the role of third driver and brand ambassador.
So for the first time since the inglorious end of its time with BMW, Sauber F1 is no longer reliant on pay drivers. Veteran Räikkönen and newcomer Giovinazzi - an interesting pairing from which all sides expect a lot.
A dream come true for Giovinazzi
The common goal is to advance to the front midfield and to fight for podium places again in the foreseeable future.
Antonio Giovinazzi: "I'm delighted to be joining the Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team as a regular driver. This is a dream come true. As an Italian, it is a great honor for me to represent such an iconic brand as Alfa Romeo in our sport. I would like to thank Scuderia Ferrari and the Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team for this great opportunity. I am very motivated and look forward to achieving great results together.
