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Binotto says Antonio Giovinazzi has not shown his full potential

Binotto says Antonio Giovinazzi has not shown "his full potential"

19-09-2019 11:37

Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto says that Antonio Giovinazzi still needs time to prove his talent in F1, referencing the two years he spent out of regular racing as a reason behind his slow improvement.

The Italian raced twice for Sauber in 2017 in place of the injured Pascal Wehrlein and got his chance for a full season this year with Alfa Romeo, scoring his best finish at his home race last time out, when he came home ninth.

Questions have been asked about Giovinazzi's seat for 2020 all season, especially with Nico Hulkenberg's availability.

Binotto has defended Giovinazzi, telling Motorsport.com: "Antonio is growing, but he also needs to be supported as he deserves.

"At the moment I don't think he's as calm as he should be, so I think it's right to make him feel the confidence of Ferrari, as he's one of our drivers.

"Now Antonio has important races ahead of him in which he can confirm his growth. It's not a test, but it's an opportunity to prove what he's already shown in his last races.

"This season he has not yet had the opportunity to show his full potential, but there are several aspects to take into account.

"The first, and I think the most important, is the one related to the two years of inactivity on the race track."