Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne has confirmed that Italian ace Antonio Giovinazzi will be the Scuderia’s third and reserve driver from the 2017 Formula One season.
Following earlier reports, Marchionne made the announcement on Monday during Ferrari’s Christmas lunch. Giovinazzi starred in F1’s official feeder series GP2 this year, claiming a season-best five wins to finish a close runner-up to Red Bull junior Pierre Gasly as a rookie.
The 23-year-old was already given a run in Ferrari’s F1 simulator last September after taking a popular win at his home round of Monza.
The Maranello-based outfit has been reluctant to promote young drivers, even from its own Academy. While Marchionne explains that Giovinazzi will not be fast-tracked to an F1 seat, he also feels the Italian racer has what it takes to compete in grand prix racing.
“We are not taking Giovinazzi to emulate the example of Max Verstappen, who is quite unique,” Marchionne was quoted as saying by La Gazetta dello Sport.
“We take him on board because he is a very good driver and Ferrari needs young talents that are ready to enter F1.”
Corriere dello sport reports that Giovinazzi will start a simulator programme in January.
The last Italian driver to have competed for Maranello in F1 was Giancarlo Fisichella over the final races of the 2009 season.
Italy has not had a representative in the top flight since 2011 and the likes of Jarno Trulli and Vitantonio Liuzzi left the sport.
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