Giovinazzi: Contract renewal a 'big confidence booster'

Antonio Giovinazzi is likely sleeping better lately, the young Italian's worries over his future having been alleviated by his contract renewal with Alfa Romeo.

Giovinazzi was confirmed by Alfa team boss Frédéric Vasseur after the US Grand Prix in Austin, thanks in large part to the 25-year-old's performance in the second half of the 2019 season.

Hopefully, the good news will spur on the Italian in Sao Paulo and help the Swiss squad return to the points from which both Giovinazzi and Raikkonen have been absent in the last four races.

"I am really looking forward to racing in Interlagos," Giovinazzi said ahead of this weekend's Brazilian Grand Prix.

"It is a special track, one forever linked with Senna and with so much Formula One history.

Verstappen: Time for young guys to take over from 'boring' Hamilton

"The renewal of my contract is a big confidence boost and I cannot wait to repay the faith the team has shown in me.

"We have made some big steps forward in the last few races and getting back into the points would be the right reward for all of our hard work."

Vasseur insists Alfa has made progress recently, but the Frenchman now wants to see his drivers pout points on the board.

"Everyone in the team is working relentlessly to push us forward and back into the points," Vasseur said.

"The last few races have shown progress, but we know we still have some work ahead of us to get back to the front of the midfield.

"We can build on the positives and on our strengths in the confidence we can make another step forward in Brazil."

Kimi Raikkonen, who has delivered 31 of Alfa's 35-point tally this season, has also been encouraged by the recent headway made by the team's C38 chassis.

"This weekend’s race is another chance for us to score points," said the Finn.

"There have been a lot of positives in our most recent performances and we feel we can now fight in the midfield once again: it would be nice to have some points to show for our progress at the end of the weekend."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

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.