Antonio Giovinazzi never doubted he could keep his Alfa Romeo seat for 2021, calling pressure from Ferrari juniors “part of the game”.
Ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix this weekend, the Italian and teammate Kimi Raikkonen were confirmed for a third year together at the Swiss-based outfit next year.
The decision to retain Giovinazzi though surprised some after another unspectacular season, and as Ferrari has three Academy prospects in Formula 2, Mick Schumacher, Callum Ilott and Robert Shwartzman, all waiting for their chance in F1.
“You know it’s a part of the game, I would say, especially Formula 1 to be always under pressure from young drivers coming in F2,” said Giovinazzi via MotorsportWeek at Imola on Friday.
“But like I say many times if you are doing well, [and] the speed is there, and the result is there, you can stay in F1 also without big sponsorship or without a big name.
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“I’m really happy and proud to still be part of this team, which to me means a lot as it is the team I did my debut with back in 2017.
“It’s my third year with this team, I know most of the people, and I’m looking forward to working with them for next season.”
It is now expected that just one Ferrari junior, likely Schumacher, will make the jump to F1 for 2021 at Haas.
And team boss Mattia Binotto confirmed that decision will come next month.
“I don’t think we will wait for the final race in Bahrain and for Abu Dhabi,” he said. “I think it’s something we may decide within the next couple of weeks.
“There’s no place for all of them. I think they are all doing well in F2 at the moment, they’re all focused on the next race in Bahrain.
“They’re challenging for the championship which is very important for them.”
Schumacher and Ilott were meant to get F1 practice outings at the Nurburgring before rain and fog saw the whole day cancelled.
But the Ferrari chief appeared to almost confirm that had been rearranged.
“They will get an opportunity to run again in FP1 in Abu Dhabi and there are the young driver tests,” he said, “but we will make our own decision and the decision will be made on what they’ve done so far, how they’ve developed, their potential.
“Our objective isn’t to bring them into F1, it’s to bring them one day in the Scuderia Ferrari, in the red cars, and whatever the path will be to achieve it that’s less important.
“There will be eventually one of them who will have a seat in F1 next year, the other may have other opportunities but that’s down to Haas to organise it and to give them an opportunity.”