Formula 1: 3 new drivers who could end up driving in 2019
By Asher Fair
Antonio Giovinazzi
Antonio Giovinazzi, 24, was just confirmed as a substitute for Alfa Romeo Sauber’s Marcus Ericsson in the first practice session for this Sunday’s German Grand Prix. Giovinazzi has driven in two Formula 1 races so far in his career, and he drove for Sauber in both of those races.
Giovinazzi replaced the injured Pascal Wehrlein in those two races last season. He finished in 12th place in the 2017 season opener, the Australian Grand Prix, before crashing out of the Chinese Grand Prix. He also served as a test driver for Scuderia Ferrari and Haas, the other two teams aside of Sauber that use Ferrari-powered cars, last season.
Ferrari urged Sauber to sign Giovinazzi and Charles Leclerc this season to essentially create what would have been sort of like a Ferrari B-team. However, they opted to retain Ericsson and replace Wehrlein with Leclerc, thus leaving Giovinazzi without a ride.
With the success that Leclerc has had this season, Sauber may consider taking Ferrari’s advice and hiring Giovinazzi now as well. They may very well get the chance to do so since Leclerc has had so much success in his rookie season to the point where he is the lead candidate to replace Kimi Raikkonen at Ferrari next year assuming Ferrari do not offer Raikkonen a one-year contract for the fourth consecutive season.
Don’t be surprised to see Giovinazzi back in a Sauber car next season, and don’t be surprised if he is the full-time driver of that car for the first time in his career, either.