Giovinazzi will pay tribute to Räikkönen in Abu Dhabi
As he competes in his likely last Formula 1 Grand Prix, Antonio Giovinazzi will pay tribute to his illustrious teammate who is also leaving the sport this Sunday.
After three years of collaboration, the paths of young Antonio Giovinazzi and veteran Kimi Räikkönen will soon separate.
But before they both leave Formula 1, the Italian wanted to pay tribute to his elder, and that’s why he will wear a replica of the helmet with which Räikkönen became world champion in 2007, on which is written “Thanks Kimi”.
A beautiful gesture that is not such a big surprise given the respect Giovinazzi has always shown the former Ferrari world champion. It will surely be his last race in F1. We’ve been racing together for three good years, but I already knew him at Ferrari and had a good relationship with him,” he said at a press conference on Thursday.
If Kimi leaves F1 of his own free will, the situation is very different from the number 99 side, the decision was made to replace him with the Chinese Guanyu Zhou in 2022. However, Giovinazzi does not lose all hope of returning in the future to the premier class of motorsport.
« I don’t think this will be my last race in Formula 1, this Sunday even if for now that’s the case. I’m happy with myself, with my progress, with the way I’ve grown as a driver and as a person. If I look at myself in the first race in 2019 and see myself now, it’s clear that I’m a better driver, a better person. I’m happy with myself. I think we haven’t got what we deserved in the last three years, especially this year, but you know, it’s racing, it’s a sport and I can’t change anything about the past » he concluded.
