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
Previous article
The key mistakes behind a lost Williams title
Next article
Ricciardo's motivating mindset unseen side of his brilliance - Fry
About this article
| Series | Formula 1 |
| Drivers | Antonio Giovinazzi |
| Author | Filip Cleeren |
Can Mercedes' W12 retain the team's crown?
Replacing Formula 1's fastest car was never going to be an easy feat for Mercedes. Amid the technical rule tweaks to peg back the W12 and its 2021 rivals, the new Mercedes challenger will remain the target to beat
The pointed note that starts Ferrari's Leclerc vs Sainz era
Ferrari is starting its post-Sebastian Vettel age by welcoming Carlos Sainz in alongside Charles Leclerc. But while Sainz has a tough challenge to match his new teammate, Ferrari is also sending a message that previous intra-team spats must end
The mantra Ocon must follow to challenge Alonso at Alpine
OPINION: It's been an uneasy ride for Esteban Ocon since his F1 comeback - and fresh challenges lie in wait as he's joined by double world champion Fernando Alonso in the newly rebranded Alpine team. STUART CODLING sets out a roadmap to success…
Why Haas is willing to sacrifice its 2021 F1 season
Every Formula 1 team is facing the same difficult decision this season: how do you split precious aero development time between the current car and the all-new 2022 project?
The big questions of F1 2021 - Karun Chandhok
After an unprecedented season last year, there are plenty of questions and storylines for the upcoming Formula 1 campaign. Sky Sports F1 pundit Karun Chandhok gives his verdict.
How McLaren F1’s new investors have already made an impact
The deal McLaren concluded with MSP Sports Capital last year which will help the cash-strapped Formula 1 team pay for much-needed infrastructure upgrades, also points toward the future for F1 itself, says GP Racing's Stuart Codling.
Why Verstappen isn't interested in the hype game
In a pre-season where Red Bull has been unusually quiet, Max Verstappen has also been guarded about the team's fortunes in 2021. Even after trying the RB16B for the first time at Silverstone, the Dutchman was careful to manage expectations
The pros and cons of F1's 2021 rule changes
In the strategy for grand prix racing's future, 2021 represents a significant step towards the goal of closer racing and a more level playing field. That's the theory behind the latest raft of changes, but will they have the desired effect?
