Antonio Giovinazzi believes a future Ferrari seat is still possible despite missing out on replacing Sebastian Vettel for 2021.
The Italian spent two years as reserve driver at the Scuderia before finally getting his first full-time Formula 1 opportunity with Alfa Romeo last year.
That race rustiness though would hurt Giovinazzi as he struggled to make an impact against Kimi Raikkonen until the second half of the year.
So rather than be disappointed at losing out to Carlos Sainz for the seat alongside Charles Leclerc, instead, the former GP2 runner-up is remaining positive.
“I’m still part of that [Ferrari] family and I was really happy to have at least maybe the possibility to take that seat,” Giovinazzi said on the Sky Sports Vodcast.
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“In my career I never had something easy, I always fight and I think now was maybe not the right time [to join] after 23 Grands Prix.
“Last year I grew up really well during the year, but this year we haven’t raced so it’s really difficult for me.
“I’m still young so I’m sure if I continue like that and continue to fight, really work hard I can have that possibility.”
In Sainz and Leclerc, however, Ferrari might have a partnership that could sustain them for much of this decade, but Giovinazzi stands by his belief that he wasn’t ready to make the jump after one year.
“I know that Charles also had one season and then went to Ferrari straight away, but from my side, if we’re looking back, we struggled also in the second part of the season with the car,” he explained.
“So, also if I grew up like a driver, the result was not really there.
“But I’m still part of Ferrari and also what Mattia [Binotto, Ferrari boss] says, that they still follow me and follow especially on my career, it’s something really great.
“I’m sure that still working with Alfa Romeo, we can do a great result together and this is my main target for now because it’s my team now,” Antonio added.
“In the future we will see. I’m still a Ferrari driver so I’m sure I can maybe have the opportunity.”