Antonio Giovinazzi: "We miss an Italian driver"

Antonio Giovinazzi is hoping to end the Italian driver drought from Formula 1. The 23-year-old last week tested for Sauber at the first official test of the season, stepping in for the injured Pascal Wehrlein.

Giovinazzi was runner-up last year in the 2016 GP2 championship and secured a deal with Ferrari at the start of this year to become the outfit's reserve driver. 

Giovinazzi is now targeting a full-time Formula 1 race seat, which is easier said than done. With all 2017 seats filled up, he will have to look towards 2018 in search of a drive.

"I think we miss an Italian driver," Giovinazzi commented. "But this is already one small stint [for me], now that I'm a third driver and I'm here in the official Formula 1 test, so it's a good point.

"Now I need to work really hard to help my target, which is of course for every driver, the target is to arrive in Formula 1. We know it's really difficult the [financial] situation in Italy, but I will do everything to arrive in my target as soon as possible."

Italy has a long association with Formula 1, with two current teams, fifteen race winners, tyre supplier Pirelli and the legendary Grand Prix at Monza.

Fergal Walsh