Antonio Giovinazzi

Italian driver who ran seven free practice sessions for Haas in 2017 and was a Haas test driver in 2022.

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Antonio Maria Giovinazzi is an Italian racing driver who competed in Formula One between 2017 and 2021. He drove for Sauber (rebranded as Alfa Romeo) as a full-time driver from 2019 to 2021, and participated in free practice sessions for Haas in 2017 as part of a Ferrari-affiliated arrangement. Giovinazzi scored his maiden points finish at the 2019 Austrian Grand Prix, with a career-best fifth place in Brazil that same season—achieved after Lewis Hamilton received a time penalty, promoting him from sixth to fifth. He has remained a reserve driver for Ferrari since 2017.

Quick Facts

Birth name: Antonio Maria Giovinazzi
Born: 14 December 1993
Birthplace: Martina Franca, Taranto, Italy
Spouse: Antonella Maraglino (2024)
Children: 1

Lore & Background

Fans of the sport often recall Giovinazzi's presence during seasons when Haas drivers like Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen were battling closely with midfield rivals. Although he never drove for Haas, his participation in four free practice sessions for the team in 2017—at the Spanish, British, Italian, and Brazilian Grands Prix—created a direct link. His aggressive driving style and consistency in points-scoring positions provided a benchmark for the American team's performance targets. His career arc mirrors the volatility of that era, transitioning from Ferrari junior to factory driver before eventually leaving F1 after being dropped by Alfa Romeo at the conclusion of the 2021 season.

Reader's Guide

Antonio Giovinazzi never officially held a race seat with Haas F1 Team, yet his career runs parallel to their formative years on the grid. Driving for Alfa Romeo Racing between 2019 and 2021, he shared the track with Haas veterans like Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen during intense midfield battles. As a Ferrari reserve driver, Giovinazzi utilized the same power units as Haas, creating a technical link despite competing chassis manufacturers.

His performance highlights include scoring his first points at the 2019 Austrian Grand Prix (finishing tenth) and achieving a career-best fifth place at the Brazilian Grand Prix that same year. While not personnel, his presence defined the competitive landscape Haas navigated. He was known for aggressive driving and resilience in wet conditions, traits that sometimes mirrored the fighting spirit seen in Haas drivers fighting for position against better-funded rivals.

Ultimately, Giovinazzi represents a key contemporary figure in Haas F1 history. His departure from Formula 1 after 2021 coincided with Mick Schumacher joining Haas in 2021, marking a generational shift. For fans of the American team, he remains a notable rival who understood the Ferrari engine package intimately, offering insight into the power unit dynamics that Haas relied upon throughout their early existence.

Did You Know?

Giovinazzi made his Formula One debut at the 2017 Australian Grand Prix, replacing an injured Pascal Wehrlein.
He was the first Italian driver to start a Formula One race since Jarno Trulli at the 2011 Brazilian Grand Prix; Vitantonio Liuzzi did not start that race.
Giovinazzi led a Grand Prix for the first time at the 2019 Singapore Grand Prix, holding the lead for four laps.