Alfa Romeo driving force Antonio Giovinazzi is inclined to try to comply with Kimi Raikkonen’s driving fashion this 12 months because it would be a “mistake” for him to ignore his group-mate’s enjoy.
Giovinazzi has earned a complete-time F1 pressure at the rebadged Sauber team alongside 2007 global champion Raikkonen, who lost his Ferrari seat to Charles Leclerc.
After sampling Alfa’s C38 for the first time on the day of pre-season testing at Barcelona, Giovinazzi stated he would try and drive like Raikkonen to help similarly the team’s improvement.
“I think it will likely be a mistake to do it an exceptional way from him,” said Giovinazzi while requested via Autosport if their riding patterns had been comparable or if he could cross in his personal direction.
“Now my goal is to work from him, analyze from him.
“The right factor for the crew as well is to head within the same way, and also it’s maybe higher for me to move in Kimi’s manner, and power in Kimi’s manner.
Giovinazzi advised Autosport in advance this month that he felt “fortunate” to be partnering Raikkonen, a veteran of 291 grand prix begins.
After two years of improvement paintings for Ferrari on the group’s simulator and diverse on-track possibilities with the Maranello squad and Sauber, Giovinazzi stated running for himself in pre-season checking out made a good exchange.
“It’s distinctive trying out [experience] now,” he stated. “Finally I can paintings for me, for my vehicle, and this is what I’m doing.
“I’m trying to take all of the remarks, supply it to the team and try to work lots with the crew and with Kimi as nicely to build a terrific car.
“I accompanied Kimi’s day [on Monday], we are able to do a surely correct task together.
“Kimi has plenty greater enjoy than me, so I just want to concentrate to him and deliver my feedback.”
Giovinazzi echoed Raikkonen’s complimentary feedback approximately Alfa’s vehicle, describing it as “clean to force”.
After a “high quality” first day of checking out, the Italian stated he might do everything feasible to make the maximum of an opportunity he’s relishing.
“I waited too long, two years, but finally these days I was actually satisfied,” said Giovinazzi, who crashed out of the second one of substitute appearances for Sauber on the start of 2017.
“[It felt] like I wakened for Christmas.
“I simply need to leap in on Thursday, learn as a good deal as I can and enhance the auto and ensure in Melbourne the whole thing works well.
“I understand this will be my [first] full season, so I just need to do a whole lot of work.
