Antonio Giovinazzi is satisfied with his continued progression as he faces a challenge to keep his Alfa Romeo seat next year.
The Italian’s future is under threat from the presence of Nico Hulkenberg, who is currently without a drive for 2020 after Haas confirmed an unchanged line-up for next year on Thursday.
Just two points finishes in his first full Formula 1 season isn’t a brilliant record, particularly given teammate Kimi Raikkonen has eight top 10’s to his name.
However, Giovinazzi doesn’t think that tells the full story.
“Honestly, I just know that I need to do well, continue as I did at Monza, keep the pace,” he said via Motorsport Week in Singapore.
“Since Paul Ricard, I would say in qualifying it’s really close to Kimi, I’m really happy with that.
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“My main thing at the beginning [of the year] was race pace but I was coming from two years without racing, now it’s getting better and better.
“I think if I have a good result nobody can take my seat for next year.”
While there is of course heightened pressure now on Giovinazzi to perform, given the well-known pedigree of Hulkenberg, the 25-year-old says such a situation isn’t new for him.
“I always race with pressure, already from go-karts, as I had not the money to continue,” he explained.
“In Formula Abarth, Formula 3, Formula 2, with Gelael [the family who backed his career], I knew if the result was not well they would change the driver.
“Formula 1 is maybe more pressure, but it’s part of the game, so I need to play also with that one.”