Giovinazzi 'sure' he can score in Spain, barring 'hick ups'

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Alfa Romeo's Antonio Giovinazzi is convinced he can put a point or two on the board in Barcelona this weekend, assuming he's spared his usual burden of misfortune.

It's been a wretched start to the season for the young Italian whose campaign has so far been derailed either by his team's technical problems or circumstances, both of which have deprived the Alfa Romeo driver of mileage.

"After I missed FP2 in Bahrain and FP1 in China I couldn’t believe when another practice session was red flagged in Baku," lamented Giovinazzi ahead of this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix.

"I was joking that free practices are not for me and it would be better if I would only show up on Saturdays. No worries, I will be in the car on Friday and to be honest I can’t wait."

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Last time out in Baku, the 25-year-old out-qualified his former world champion team mate Kimi Raikkonen, but a pitlane start on Sunday - as a result of fitting a new control electronic to his car's power unit - capped his performance in the race.

In Barcelona, if the gremlins and bad luck keep away, 'Gio' thinks he can haul his C38 into a top-ten finish at the Circuit de Catalunya.

"The good qualifying result with P8 in Baku was exactly what I needed, now it is about to be strong and consistent throughout the whole weekend," added the Italian.

"If there are no hick ups with the car, I’m pretty sure that I could score my first points in Barcelona."

However, Alfa Romeo team boss Fred Vasseur is willing to go one step further and predict points for both Giovinazzi and Raikkonen.

"Let’s remember a very strong qualifying performance of both Kimi and especially Antonio in Baku," said the Frenchman.

"That’s something we can build on. We’ve learned our lessons from winter testing in Barcelona, when – after a strong first week – we developed a bit in the wrong direction.

"And that makes me very confident, that we could have both cars in the points for the first time in 2019."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.