Giovinazzi eager to race again in 2017

Antonio Giovinazzi, who made his F1 debut standing in for Pascal Wehrlein at Sauber last weekend in Melbourne, has said that he will seize another opportunity to race this season if one should come his way.

The Italian impressed many onlookers during the Australian Grand Prix weekend, only narrowly missing Q2 - and almost outqualifying team-mate Marcus Ericsson in the process - before putting in a steady drive on Sunday to reach the chequered flag in 12th, ahead of McLaren's Stoffel Vandoorne.

Speaking to F1's official website about his prospects for the rest of the year following this performance, Giovinazzi said: "Pascal is the Sauber driver and I am the third driver of Ferrari - and, of course, if there is another chance I will grab it. I don't know. This is up to Ferrari."

He also revealed his pride at being the first Italian to line up on an F1 grid since Jarno Trulli at the 2011 Brazilian Grand Prix, while stating that it is important for his country to be involved in the sport.

"I am really happy - and also for Italy to have somebody back in Formula 1. I think it is really important also to have an Italian in this sport. Now I have to work hard to stay here," he continued.

Although Giovinazzi's call-up was unexpected, with the rookie only stepping in to replace Wehrlein on Saturday morning in Australia, he insists that he had no concerns about driving the new C36 car, being more than prepared to cope with it.

"I kept my training regime the whole winter, so it was no problem for me to jump in the car in Barcelona nor here in Melbourne," he said.

Mason Hawker