This is the case of Antonio Giovinazzi, Dragon Penske driver, who has not had it all his own way in his debut in the category. The Italian spent three seasons as Alfa Romeo’s driver in the “big circus” before joining the competition founded by Alejandro Agag.

The 28-year-old is at the bottom of the standings, having retired in five of the 12 E-Prix so far this season, a situation that has led him to state that his time in other motorsport competitions has not helped him in his current challenge.

Read also: André Lotterer no Longer at the Porsche Wheel in Formula E

Giovinazzi told The Independent that unfortunately for him, Formula E is about a completely different car and format. “Everything is different, nothing of what I learned in the past in different categories and F1 works here.”

“How you need to brake, the mentality in the race of not pushing and the need to save energy, recharge the battery, it’s completely different,” he emphasized.

However, the Italian acknowledges that the challenges of facing the unknown was what motivated him to participate in the electrified series. “That was one of the things that made me want to come here to be honest, to learn new things, because in my career I drove a lot of cars and the only one that was missing was Formula E.

He explained that for a rookie it is not the best championship because they don’t have much time in the car, since the session lasts 30 minutes, among other aspects such as a new track.

“For example Berlin is two different tracks in two days, not difficult tracks, but you have to learn them and we were not very fast there,” Giovinazzi pointed out.

However, it’s not all bad for the racer, who noted that there are elements he likes about Formula E such as the pre-race and street track.

“You can never race in other categories in New York, Rome, London, for sure it’s really good for the championship. The other side, off the track, it’s more relaxed, less stress compared to F1. It’s a lot of difference,” he said.

Debut and Farewell?

Despite the poor results, the Italian does not rule out continuing in Formula E, although he has not made a decision regarding his future. “We’ll see,” he replied when asked if he ever wanted to return to F1. “Never say never, I don’t know what I’ll be doing next year, but I hope to find out soon.”

He indicated that for the moment he is focused on finishing the season in the best possible way to then resolve his future. “I have no news for now, when I close the season here I will think about me and what I like, and I will try to have the best option for next year,” he concluded.

The post Giovinazzi: “F1 Experience Doesn’t Help in Formula E” appeared first on Green Racing News.

He is one of the five drivers who have yet to score points after the first races in Ad-Diriyah, Saudi Arabia and Mexico City, a list that also includes Oliver Turvey and Dan Ticktum.

“The car and the format are completely different to what I’ve done in recent years. Most of the circuits are city circuits, compared to Formula 1, where you can find classic layouts and the street circuits are much more difficult because every mistake costs you much more,” he said according to statements reviewed in the Italian media “ADN Kronos”.

Related content: Confirmed: Antonio Giovinazzi to Stay in Formula E After Rumors of Replacing Russia’s Nikita Mazepin in F1

He explained that the car is completely different when braking, from the downforce, to the tires, to the sound itself. “For me it was like starting from scratch and also I find myself in a championship where most of the drivers have a lot of experience.”

For Giovinazzi, Formula E has been a really difficult championship at this early stage. “I expected it, although not that much, but I’m satisfied with the improvement I made between the first and second race, and for next weekend I hope that both the team and I can bring home good results.”

Focus on Rome

After the unfortunate start, the Italian is mentally focused to reverse the situation and is preparing for the Rome E-Prix, to be held on the weekend of April 9 and 10.

He pointed out that although he has not seen the circuit of the Italian capital, he has already done some work in the simulator. “It is one of the most spectacular, beautiful and difficult circuits, with many ups and downs, many slopes, tight and fast turns, it is quite complete.”

Despite the preparations executed together with his team, Dragon Penske, Giovinazzi considers it complicated to compete to the maximum with such a short time to arrive in Formula E.

“My goal was not so much to arrive right away and get on the podium, but to keep improving race after race and I can still do that, but to say when I will be able to win I don’t know yet. I don’t feel comfortable with everything,” he said.

At this early stage, Giovinazzi has realized that all drivers have a chance to win in the electric single-seater series and assured that as the only Italian in the category he will give “200%” to shine on home soil.

“It’s nice to meet the fans in the stands. With COVID-19, we sportsmen didn’t have the support and affection of the fans and to compete in Rome close to where I grew up is nice. I will have my family and friends close to me. It will be a nice weekend because it is one of the most beautiful places in the world”, he concluded.

Written by I Jhonattan González

The post Giovinazzi Hopes to Reverse Bad Start in Front of Home Crowd at E-Prix Rome appeared first on Green Racing News.

Why? Unfortunately, Haas F1 Team made the decision to exclude Nikita Mazepin as a starting driver due to the war conflicts between Russia and Ukraine. After several days of non-stop comments, the team made the strong decision not to count on his talent and sponsorship, opening a myriad of doors and opportunities for his future replacement.

Among the names that were being discussed (nothing official) was Giovinazzi. A talented, experienced and fast driver, who since his arrival to the top category of electric motorsport has made it clear that he intends to return to Formula 1. He currently competes with DRAGON / PENSKE AUTOSPORT team.

Related content: “It’s More difficult than I expected,” said Giovinazzi when testing the Formula E single-seater

Along with the Italian, Pietro Fittipaldi and Nico Hülkenberg were also candidates to replace the Russian for the upcoming campaign, which was a few days ago testing the new category cars, where more spectacle is expected when overtaking, as well as greater fight between teams for the championship.

However, rumors were left behind and surprisingly, an old acquaintance will be the driver to replace Mazepin: Kevin Magnussen, completely discarding Giovinazzi for 2022.

Although, it should be considered that Giovinazzi currently serves as reserve and test driver for Scuderia Ferrari and given the relationship between Haas and Maranello, the Italian could form a more than interesting duo with Mick Schumacher on the 2023 grid of the Grand Circus.

Finally, the Italian’s talent will remain in Formula E, without moving from there, at least, for the current season. Giovinazzi has everything to prove his worth at the FE, in order to have offers from both motorsport divisions in the future.

Written by | Ronald Ortega

The post Confirmed: Antonio Giovinazzi to Stay in Formula E After Rumors of Replacing Russia’s Nikita Mazepin in F1 appeared first on Green Racing News.

“I have to learn a lot of things very quickly, but I knew it would be like this and we are for that. Gradually, I’ve been feeling better in the car, and with more mileage will be even better,” he pointed out.

When asked about being placed at the back of the grid during testing, Giovinazzi was not worried, since as he progresses he will be more adapted for the debut at the end of January 2022.

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Sitting for the first time at the wheel of the electric single-seater, the Italian explained that it is a totally different ride, which is nothing like GT, LMP2 or Formula 1. He admitted that it is “especially complicated when braking, it was difficult for me to get used to it in this aspect. There is also no downforce, no noise. Everything is different,” he said.

He will work with the simulator

Formula E is a high-level technological laboratory, so racers have the possibility to compete through simulators developed by the teams’ engineers.

In that sense, Giovinazzi pointed out that his plan is to work hard at the simulator to try to be at the highest level as soon as possible. Despite the fact that the adaptation time is very short, he assures that with the help of his staff he will sooner than later get up to speed for the debut. 

“I am at the first phase and I will try to do my best. I want to complete a lot of work with the team’s simulator during December and January. It will be a difficult first part of the season, but we will work hard to be in good shape. I still have to finish Formula 1, there is not much time, but we will do as much work on the simulator as possible,” he added.

While Dragon Penske may not be one of the favorites on the Formula E grid, Giovinazzi is excited ahead of his new motorsport adventure. ” In Formula E there are usually different winners, it’s not like in F1 where you know that either Mercedes or Red Bull will win. I was motivated to compete on this championship, where nobody knows what is going to happen in the race. Dragon already did some podiums in the past and we are going to work together to achieve it again,” concluded the driver.

Written by I Jhonattan González

The post Giovinazzi Test a Formula E for the First Time: “It’s More Difficult than I Expected” appeared first on Green Racing News.

The void of not having a competition to contest only lasted a few hours, because after it was confirmed that he will not race on the 2022 season of the Grand Circus, the Formula E doors were opened to include the Italian driver into the transition to emission-free motorsports. He currently competes with Alfa Romeo and will finish his contract at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and then join the FE.

His arrival to Formula 1 began in 2017, when the team was called Sauber. During 2018, he served as a test driver, and in 2019 his participation on the official grid of the category was made official. The Italian assured that he knew that Formula E would be his new destination given that it was a competition that was always on his sporting radar.

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“As soon as it became public that I would not be in Formula 1 next year, I decided to participate on the ABB FIA Formula E FIA World Championship. It’s a category I’ve always followed and I’m excited to be part of Dragon Penske Autosport for this all-electric racing series, which I already tried out in back three years ago. I would like to thank Jay Penske who immediately showed great interest in having me on board,” said Giovannazi.

As the Italian mentioned, there is a precedent between FE and him, as in 2018, he was part of the Marrakech rookie program with Virgin. Now, he will be on the official grid of the sustainable championship, and he is already thinking about getting into the single-seater for the first time, officially, when the pre-season tests arrive in Valencia.

“Antonio is one of the most talented drivers in the world and I am very proud to have him join this team,” said Jay Penske, Team Principal. In addition to Giovinazzi’s announcement, Dragon Penske Autosport revealed that Brazilian Sergio Sette Camara has been given a second chance to join the U.S. team. “With Antonio and Sergio, we are fortunate to now have what I believe is one of the strongest racing lineups in the series,” he finished.

About Dragon Penske Autosport

Dragon is an American racing team founded in 2007 by Jay Penske. After many years of success competing in IndyCar, it became one of the founding teams of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship. Based in Los Angeles, California, they finished second overall at the inaugural FE season, and fourth at the second championship to rank as one of the most experienced in the paddock. Collectively, the team members have more than 180 years of racing experience, with more than 275 race wins, 24 Indy 500 victories and 17 series championships.

Written by | Ronald Ortega

The post Antonio Giovinazzi Swaps Combustion for Electricity and Joins Formula E appeared first on Green Racing News.