Giovinazzi confident in his future at Alfa in 2020

Antonio Giovinazzi is no stranger to pressure, and has been since his debut in karting, then during his training years in single-seaters.

So it’s not the uncertainty that still hangs over his contract renewal at Alfa for the 2020 campaign that’s keeping the transalpine driver from sleeping.

In difficulty at the start of the season, Giovinazzi has undeniably progressed throughout the season, particularly in qualifying where he is often on an equal footing with his teammate Kimi Raïkkönen when he is not in front of the Finnish veteran.  

In the race, the quasi-rookie has been blowing hot and cold since the start of the season at Spa-Francorchamps where he was in the points before abandoning after leaving the track in preparation for the finish.

He made up for it at Monza by signing the best result of his career with 9th place, then in Singapore where he led the race for four lapss before snatching the point for 10th place despite contact with Daniel Ricciardo.

Contrasting sentiment at the end of the garage. Ma anche se ad un certo point in pochi ci avrebbero creduto, io da #SingaporeGP senza almeno un point non sarei tornato a casa
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Mixed feelings, but I wouldn't have gone back from #SingaporeGP unless I scored one point# AG99 pic.twitter.com/bItQPzyDfT

- Antonio Giovinazzi (@Anto_Giovinazzi) September 22, 2019

These encouraging performances were, however, somewhat overshadowed by a crash on the first lap of the Russian Grand Prix.

“I say it and I repeat it: if I continue to do a good job and show the same speed as in the last races, no one can take my place, however, asserts Giovinazzi from the Suzuka paddock. I have to concentrate on my work and not let off the pressure.

En F1, everything can change in an instant. One weekend you're a superstar, the next you're the loser, and the next round you're a hero again. It was the same in all categories.”

The Italian naturally admits that he wouldn't mind a little clarity and stability for the rest of his career, but his past experiences have taught him to ignore distractions off the track.  

“This is the story of my journey in motorsport, he added. From karting, I didn’t have the budget to continue the following season; I was riding in a small team that supported me for free. When I arrived in single-seaters, my main support came from Indonesia (Ricardo Gelael, the father of the pilot of F2 Sean, Editor’s note). Many pilots coveted my position; I’m used to handling pressure.”

Giovinazzi is currently 18th in the 2019 Drivers' standings with 4 points.