Giovinazzi: Learning from Raikkonen key to further F1 progress
Alfa Romeo Formula 1 driver Antonio Giovinazzi is delighted to continue having Kimi Raikkonen as his teammate in 2021, believing the Finn's vast experience will be key to his own development.
Following mid-season speculation that Alfa Romeo could change one or more of its drivers, the Swiss team confirmed late October that both Raikkonen and Giovinazzi would stay on for the 2021 F1 season.
That means 2021 will be the third consecutive season Giovinazzi and 2007 world champion Raikkonen will form a driver partnership at the Hinwil team.
Giovinazzi and Raikkonen each finished on four points as Alfa Romeo finished a lowly eighth in the 2020 constructors' championship, with Giovinazzi narrowly outqualifying the Finn by nine to eight.
Giovinazzi, who is preparing for his third full F1 season with Alfa Romeo following a brief 2017 cameo for Sauber, believes Raikkonen's presence at the team will continue to help him develop as a driver.
"[With] Kimi again beside me next season I think I can still do another step," Giovinazzi told Motorsport.com.
"It will be really important to watch him because I think, like I've said many times, he's still one of the best on the grid, especially on the race pace and managing the race. I'm happy to continue with him."
Over the course of the 2020 season, 41-year-old Raikkonen officially became the most experienced driver in Formula 1 history with 329 starts.
In his 2019 debut season Giovinazzi would often mimic the experienced Finn's approach during a grand prix weekend.
During his sophomore campaign however, with a full season of F1 under his belt, the 27-year-old Italian started charting his own course.
"When I came here [in 2019] I tried to focus more on Kimi's side," Giovinazzi explained.
"To see what he was doing and why he was doing [it]. And in the end I always followed him I would say.
"But [in 2020] I'd got more experience and I know what they want and what I like more - especially in the different tracks and different conditions.
"Experience makes a lot of difference in every category, maybe more in Formula 1.
"I think I will feel more ready as well next season, after two years, and after a lot more races.
"I just want to feel more comfortable with everything with the car, with the team.
"It was again a good step this season, but I think next year I will feel again a lot more confident."
Alfa Romeo team boss Fred Vasseur told Motorsport.com he was pleased with Giovinazzi's progress during his second season with the team and hopes the Italian can become more of a team leader in 2021.
Related video
The key mistakes behind a lost Williams title
Ricciardo's motivating mindset unseen side of his brilliance - Fry
Why Mercedes' Spanish GP gains aren't as grand as they seemed
Mercedes' strong showing in last weekend's Spanish Grand Prix prompted team boss Toto Wolff to say it had halved its deficit to the leaders and its Formula 1 title chances were back on after a rocky start to the 2022 campaign. But a closer inspection of the team's performance suggests its gains aren't as grand as they first appeared
What's next for the Green Red Bull controversy?
From the 'pink Mercedes' to the 'Green Red Bull', the Silverstone-based team has received suspicious glares from up and down the Formula 1 paddock over its car design exploits. But after being cleared by the FIA over its Spanish Grand Prix updates amid a backdrop of cries of foul play, what's next in this saga?
Spanish Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2022
In an unusually hectic Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc was denied a dominant performance by his Ferrari engine letting go which allowed Max Verstappen to pick up the pieces. But numerous flashpoints kept the race twisting and turning throughout, with one perfect score from an emerging contender
How Verstappen overcame his and Red Bull’s errors to win in Spain
Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari engine disaster offered an open goal for Max Verstappen and Red Bull to strike, but the reigning Formula 1 world champion still had to solve multiple errors and profit from a begrudged assist from team-mate Sergio Perez, which created an unexpectedly eventful Spanish Grand Prix
Why Red Bull can win a Spanish GP that looked perfect for Ferrari
Formula 1's return to Spain on Friday ended with Ferrari leading the way from Mercedes, while Red Bull could only manage third fastest overall courtesy of Max Verstappen. But its chances of victory are far from remote with a deeper dig into the times despite Ferrari's strong start...
The key aspects of Porsche and Audi's planned F1 entries
The VW Group’s German superpowers of sportscar racing have all but confirmed they are coming to F1 when the next set of engine rules come into force in 2026. Here's why both manufacturers are all set to take the plunge, and crucially how it might work
How Vegas went from byword for F1 indifference to grand Liberty coup
Holding a race in Las Vegas – party central, a city of dreams and decadence and, yes, more than a smattering of tackiness – has been on Liberty Media’s most-wanted list since it acquired Formula 1’s commercial rights. But, as LUKE SMITH explains, F1 has been here before and the relationship didn’t work out
Why de Vries' FP1 outing could add a new path to his current crossroads
A Formula 2 and Formula E champion, Nyck de Vries is currently considering where his future in motorsport lies. Continuing in WEC and Formula E is possible and he's also courted glances Stateside after impressing in an IndyCar test. But ahead of his Formula 1 FP1 debut with Williams, he could have another option if he impresses...