Giovinazzi 'proud' to be first Italian driver in eight years

Antonio Giovinazzi is excited to be the first Italian Formula 1 driver in eight years but has his sights on achieving more than just getting a drive. The Italian racer was a few points away from winning the GP2 title but had to watch Pierre Gasly and Sergio Sirotkin get drives in F1 ahead of him.   

Giovinazzi already has raced in two Formula 1 races and has now got a full-time drive at Alfa Romeo. This makes him the first Italian driver on the grid for eight years, something that he kept working for by never giving up.   

"Finally, after eight years, an Italian driver will come back on the F1 grid and I am proud I will be that Italian. Alfa Romeo Racing with a Ferrari engine, it's a really fantastic combination," said Giovinazzi to GPFans.

"Of course, this is not the end of my target, it's just the beginning of new things. I'm just really happy, really proud, and I can't wait to start the season.

"For sure, [it was] two long years [not racing] but it was I think two important years because, in the end, I worked a lot with Ferrari. I am more ready [for F1] than back in 2016 or 2017, so I have to say thanks to Ferrari for those two years."

"I never gave up," said Giovinazzi. "I always believed my opportunity would come.

"Finally, after two years of waiting, I can have my real opportunity." 

The Italian racer will look to teammate Kimi Raikkonen and will have his work cut out to try and match him for pace. It will be interesting to see who is quicker in the new car.