Antonio Giovinazzi admits 2021 “not the right time” for him to make Ferrari move. The Italian was seen as an outside contender compared to Carlos Sainz.

Alfa Romeo Formula 1 driver Antonio Giovinazzi accepts 2021 would have been “not the right time” for him to make the switch to Scuderia Ferrari, but at the same time he admits to being “really happy” that his name was on the shortlist to replace Sebastian Vettel.

Reports had the Ferrari-backed 26-year-old listed as one of the three main options to partner Charles Leclerc in the Scuderia’s F1 roster from 2021 onwards, after Ferrari and Sebastian Vettel parted ways.

But he was seen as an outside contender compared to Carlos Sainz Jr and Daniel Ricciardo, and Ferrari ultimately moved swiftly to secure Sainz on a two-year deal.

Asked in a Sky Sports F1 video interview for his reaction to being overlooked for the Ferrari drive, Antonio Giovinazzi indicated it did not come as a big disappointment.

“You know, I’m still part of that family, and I was really happy to be also part of that list, to have maybe the possibility to take that seat. I think in the end, in my career I’ve never had something easy, I always fought, I always did a lot of sacrifice to have something back, and I think now was maybe not the right time. Just after 23 grands prix, last year I grew up really well during the year but this year we didn’t race [yet], so it was really difficult for me. But you know, I’m still young, so I’m sure if I continue like that, if I continue to fight and work really hard, that I can finally have that possibility in the future.” – he added.

Antonio Giovinazzi acknowledged that Charles Leclerc – his predecessor at the Alfa Romeo team – needed just one season himself to earn a move to Ferrari, but alluded to different circumstances.

“I know that Charles also had one season and then went to Ferrari straight away, but from my side, if we’re looking back, we [Alfa Romeo] struggled also in the second part of the season with the car. So, also if I grew up like a driver, the result was not really there. But I’m still part of Ferrari and also what Mattia [Binotto, Ferrari team principal] says, that they still follow me and follow especially on my career, it’s something really great. I’m sure that still working with Alfa Romeo, still we can do a great result together and that’s my main target for now because it’s my team now.”- he concluded.

Giovinazzi nevertheless made it clear that, had Ferrari offered him the 2021 seat, he would’ve accepted “straight away”.