Giovinazzi: “I thought it was a joke”

Antonio Giovinazzi replaced at short notice Pascal Wehrlein with Sauber F1 Team at the Australian GP. The 2015 champion of DTM gave way to the test pilot of the Team Ferrari feeling physically unable to cover a race distance.

Without preparation before the final practice session for the Australian Grand Prix, Antonio Giovinazzi did well by taking 16th position on the grid at the Albert Park circuit in Melbourne, narrowly missing out on qualifying for Q2 , while his teammate Marcus Ericsson ranked 15th.

“I made a mistake in the first corner, but I gained time in the second before making another slight mistake in the last part. I'm not sure it would have worked, recognized Antonio Giovinazzi. In any case, I was at the limit in each lap. I might have needed another test session, but I have to admit that it's already better than I expected. »

Antonio Giovinazzi had to quickly prepare to get back behind the wheel of the Sauber C36 which he had not driven since his two days of testing in Barcelona (Spain).

“I received a message from Ferrari and my manager. They warned me last night, but I was already in bed and I only found out when I woke up, explained Antonio Giovinazzi. At first I thought someone was playing a joke on me, but it turned out to be true. I rushed to the track to speak with the team engineers and I still can't believe it. It's a childhood dream come true. »

Antonio Giovinazzi will have the honor of becoming the first Italian since Jarno Trulli and Vitantonio Liuzzi in 2011 to compete in a Grand Prix.

“I am very happy for Italy that they finally have a pilot in F1. I think it's very important to have an athlete in this discipline. I now have to work to stay in my job”, warned the replacement at Sauber.

Pascal Wehrlein missed part of his preparation following his accident at the Race of Champions in Miami (Florida) last January.