Formula 1: Top 3 options to replace Nikita Mazepin
By Asher Fair
Top replacement options for Nikita Mazepin: No. 2 – Antonio Giovinazzi
Antonio Giovinazzi is one of only two drivers who competed in Formula 1 in the 2021 season but was not initially slated to return for the 2022 campaign, and he was the only one who was officially dropped, as the other, former Alfa Romeo teammate Kimi Raikkonen, retired as the sport’s all-time most experienced driver.
Giovinazzi was Ferrari’s selection at Alfa Romeo for three straight years. But after Ferrari lost the right to select one of the team’s two drivers, Alfa Romeo ended up signing former Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas and rookie Guanyu Zhou, which led Giovinazzi to sign with Dragon/Penske Autosport to compete in Formula E.
As a driver with three full seasons of Formula 1 experience, Giovinazzi is in a unique position in that he is still young enough to prove that he deserves a future in the sport, and he can also bring valuable experience to pair with second-year driver Mick Schumacher as Haas look to make a considerable leap into the midfield amid the introduction of the new rules and regulations.
Giovinazzi wasn’t spectacular in three years with Alfa Romeo, but he was solid. His lone DNF in 2021 came as a result of a hydraulics issue; he only finished outside of the top 15 once. His ties to Ferrari also make him a logical selection for the Ferrari-powered American team.