On-track action is being halted, in response to the coronavirus crisis, but off the race track, the passion for racing remains lit, meet the stories behind the drivers that push their limits at every race.
Sports Pundit talked to Alfa Romeo Orlen Racing Antonio Giovinazzi, about his road to the pinnacle of motorsport and how he prepares for the new season.
The 26-year-old native from Martina Franca, Italy, has been dreaming of racing in Formula One since he was a child.
When asked if he ever pictured himself doing any other thing other than racing, no hesitation meets his answer:
“I never wanted to be anything else, and I am thankful for the possibility to be living my dream every day.”
After his full-season Formula One debut last year, Giovinazzi partners Kimi Raikkonen for a second consecutive season in the series with the Swiss team.
FIRST STEPS
A former test and development driver for Scuderia Ferrari, Giovinazzi journey towards Formula One goes back to the year 2006 when he lifted the Italian National Trophy 60cc in karting. Since then, the Italian has never looked back.
Ten years later, he would be joining Prema Powerteam in the GP2 series, with Frenchman Pierre Gasly as a teammate.
The pair would bring the battle for the title to the final round in Abu Dhabi, which Gasly won, while the Italian took a total of five wins in his rookie season.
A SWISS-ITALIAN PARTNERSHIP
The relationship between the Swiss squad and the young Italian dates back to 2017 when Giovinazzi stepped in to replace injured German driver Pascal Wehrlein at the season opener in Australia, making his debut in Formula One.
He would also take part in the grid at the Chinese Grand Prix that same year.
In 2018, he was appointed a test driver with the team renamed Alfa Romeo Sauber.
SP: Whats been the most special moment so far in your journey with the Swiss team?
AG: “There have been many special moments: my first race in a full season, last year in Australia, or my first points-scoring finish in Austria, or leading the race in Singapore. However, the best moment so far has been delivering a great race in Italy, in front of my compatriot and my fans.
The atmosphere was incredible and to bring home points was a special reward.”
In 2019, Giovinazzi finished in 10th place at the Austrian GP held at the Red Bull Ring circuit, becoming the first Italian to score points in Formula One since Vitantonio Liuzzi in 2010 with Force India.
Leading the Singapore Grand Prix marked the first time a Sauber led a GP since 2013.
At home soil in Monza, he finished the race in 9th place, securing a total of 14 points for the team by the end of the season.
SP: How do you prepare physically and mentally for the longest race schedule in Formula One history?
AG: “Physical training is really important for me, especially in such a long year. During the season, we cannot train as hard as we would like, so giving 100% in pre-season is crucial.
You have to build strength and resistance as both will be tested by these cars. Its a rigorous approach, and this really helps mental training as well.”
The Alfa Romeo ORLEN Racing team announced Robert Kubica as its reserve driver for the 2020 season.
The Pole made his debut behind the wheel of the C39 at pre-season testing, as he was the first to take to the track the teams challenger at the Barcelona circuit, in Catalunya.
Colombian driver Tatiana Calderon continues with her role as a test driver for the Hinwill squad, also becoming an ambassador for the team.
During six days of testing, the team completed a total of 735 laps.
SP: How do you assess the performance of the C39 at pre-season testing?
AG: “The car is a marked improvement compared to last year.
The C39 is an evolution of the C38, so we have improved a lot of its characteristics, and now the car feels even better. Of course, we can so far only compare ourselves to our performance from last year. Melbourne will tell where we stand compared to all others.”
The Australian Grand Prix scheduled for March 15, had to be canceled due to the concerns regarding the global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic after a member of the McLaren F1 Team tested positive for the virus, which resulted in the team withdrawing from the event as a precautionary measure.
After 12 hours, the FIA and Formula 1 officially announced the Grand Prix was no longer moving forward.
During the first half of 2019, Giovinazzi struggled to score points, but strong performances showed after the summer break put an end to the speculation on whether the team would sign him for a second season.
SP: F1 is the pinnacle of motorsport, where one mistake can sometimes decide the future of a driver with a team and even in the series.Do you “Drive to Survive”?
AG: “I am competing against 19 of the best drivers in the world, so dealing with pressure is something I am used to. Every driver is only as good as his last race, so I am always trying to prove what I can do. It really fuels my competitive spirit.”
SP: What would you tell to the young drivers out there struggling to keep on with their careers in such a competitive and expensive sport?
AG: “If you have skills, hard work is what makes the difference. Most drivers at these levels are incredibly talented, so the difference has to come from somewhere else the work ethic, the commitment, the hard work.”
Times are uncertain in every aspect of life at the moment, and with sports, it is no different. Events worldwide have been moved, canceled, or postponed.
As it stands, the 2020 FIA Formula One World Championship season - which marks the 70th anniversary of the series, could be delay until the end of May, at the latest.
The Bahrain, Vietnam, and the Chinese Grand Prix - which would follow the season opener in the calendar, have been postponed.
“As a result, Formula 1 and the FIA expect to begin the Championship in Europe at the end of May but given the sharp increase in COVID-19 cases in Europe in recent days, this will be regularly reviewed,” reads a joint statement from F1 and the FIA.
This interview was conducted after pre-season testing and before the cancelation of the season opener in Melbourne, Australia.
