Antonio Giovinazzi in line for F1 return in 2023
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Antonio Giovinazzi
After being away from the sport since the end of 2021, there is grave possibility that Antonio Giovinazzi might land a contract to race next year. Although it won’t be with his old team. Multiple reports have been flowing regarding the second seat at Haas which has become available next year.
Current Haas pilot Mick Schumacher’s contract with the team ends this year. His seat with the team isn’t confirmed for the 2023 season. With the summer break done and dusted, the clock is ticking. If he doesn’t renew his contract soon then he might effectively be out of the sport for next season.
While Haas’s priority is to retain Schumacher, it is also considering other options for 2023. One of them being experienced F1 pilot Antonio Giovinazzi. The Italian was first mentioned to be an active player in the driver market. Although with time he had become a potential target for the team with the commencement of the second half of the season.
The Italian driver has previously raced in Formula 1 with Alfa Romeo Sauber. He wasn’t able to retain his contract with the team for 2022 which led to him being out of the sport. He then announced that he will be racing in Formula E for 2022.
Antonio Giovinazzi’s season in Formula E was hugely disappointing. He suffered from a very uncompetitive package and had very poor pace compared to his teammate Sergio Sette Camara. It must have tarnished his reputation a bit in F1 or maybe it hasn’t. Teams are still interested in signing the 28 year old as he would make a good number 2 driver. Mick Schumacher, Nico Hulkenberg and potentially Daniel Ricciardo are Haas’s choices for the 2023 F1 seat.
It won’t take too long for them to announce who made the cut. But it sure is looking good for Antonio as he strives to make a comeback to the pinnacle of motorsport.
Antonio Giovinazzi has established himself as a contender for the Haas seat
With Ferrari supplying engines to Haas, it is obvious that the squad will have a say in their driver lineup. Ferrari could put FDA drivers in that seat. Antonio Giovinazzi is a reserve driver for Scuderia Ferrari.
This increases his chances ten fold. With Mick reported to have ended his contract with Ferrari, he might move to Alpine. According to rumours, the Italian would take a couple of free practice sessions with Haas. This would be a potential opportunity for the team to evaluate his current level of performance.
In the end, the decision lies with the team regarding who they will choose. Since Haas doesn’t have a junior driver academy, they have always chosen from all the free agents available in the market. Only time will tell whether Antonio Giovinazzi will make a comeback to the sport next season.
Also read : ‘It’s wholly inaccurate and unfair,’ Martin Brundle calls out Fernando Alonso’s criticism of Lewis Hamilton
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Varad Joshi
(940 Articles Published)