Report: Ferrari-Backed Driver Giovinazzi Lands on His Feet After Brutal Alfa Romeo F1 Exit
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Report: Ferrari-Backed Driver Giovinazzi Lands on His Feet After Brutal Alfa Romeo F1 Exit
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Reuters
Formula One F1 – Emilia Romagna Grand Prix – Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola, Italy – Alfa Romeo’s Antonio Giovinazzi walks around the track ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix REUTERS/Jennifer Lorenzini
Reuters
Formula One F1 – Emilia Romagna Grand Prix – Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola, Italy – Alfa Romeo’s Antonio Giovinazzi walks around the track ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix REUTERS/Jennifer Lorenzini
For many months, the future of Alfa Romeo driver Antonio Giovinazzi was hanging in balance. But now it seems, the Italian driver will continue his racing career from next year, but not in F1. The confirmation of his departure, along with those of his rumored replacements, Oscar Piastri and Guanyu Zhou, have cleared all three of their futures.
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When Giovinazzi’s time in F1 ends in Abu Dhabi. he will reportedly transition into Formula E. From next year, Giovinazzi could be seen driving Dragon Penske’s Formula E car as reported by The Race.
His move to Formula E is not only supported by Penske’s team but also by chairman Alejandro Agag. In fact, Agag and Formula E Deputy CEO Alberto Longo were present at Interlagos and had a meeting with Giovinazzi’s representatives.
Although the deal hasn’t been completed yet, but the Italian seems to be the preferred choice for Jay Penske-owned team.
Grazie di tutto, @Anto_Giovinazzi ❤️
Let’s finish the year strongly together. 🤜🤛 pic.twitter.com/7fiXEFDhWq
— Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN (@alfaromeoracing) November 16, 2021
F1 entry for Piastri and Zhou
Alfa Romeo were considering F2 drivers Oscar Piastri and Guan Zhou as replacements for Antonio Giovinazzi. The two drivers are competing for the F2 Championship this season, in which Piastri is comfortably ahead of Zhou.
Getty
MONZA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 10: Pole position qualifier Oscar Piastri of Australia and Prema Racing celebrates in the Paddock during qualifying ahead of Round 5:Monza of the Formula 2 Championship at Autodromo di Monza on September 10, 2021 in Monza, Italy. (Photo by Joe Portlock – Formula 1/Formula Motorsport Limited via Getty Images)
But while Piastri was confirmed as Alpine’s reserve driver for the 2022 season, the path for the Chinese driver to step into the Alfa Romeo F1 car became clearer than ever. A few minutes after confirming Giovinazzi’s departure, Alfa Romeo confirmed Guanyu Zhou’s signing.
Zhou has become the first-ever F1 driver from China.
He is rumored to bring $25 million in form of sponsorships for Alfa Romeo, which is a lot of money for a bottom-table Italian team. And on top of that, Alfa Romeo can capitalize on marketing opportunities in a relatively untapped massive market of China.
Breaking news! 🗞️ @gyzhou_33 completes our line-up for 2022! 👏
Check the full story 📲 https://t.co/WEr8lhNFEV#AlfaRomeoRacing #ORLEN #TeamZhou pic.twitter.com/nSvZZjNyG8
— Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN (@alfaromeoracing) November 16, 2021
Antonio Giovinazzi will look to make a name for himself in Formula E, Oscar Piastri will aim to impress Alpine with one eye on a 40-year-old Fernando Alonso’s seat and Guanyu Zhou would want to put in race numbers as impressive as the sponsorship numbers he’s bringing.
All in all, it seems like everyone is coming away with something to look forward to.
Also Read: Alfa Romeo Finds More Criticisms From Italy Over Poor Antonio Giovinazzi Treatment
