Antonio Giovinazzi is happy with his first Formula 1 qualifying session after being drafted into the team at late notice in place of Pascal Wehrlein.
After a horrendous crash at the Race Of Champions event in January, Wehrlein felt that he was not physically ready after Friday’s running which left Ferrari’s reserve driver to fill in for the German on Saturday.
Despite finishing 20th and last in FP3, Giovinazzi quickly got up to speed and nearly made it through to the second part of qualifying, however, it was not to be as a lock-up into Turn 15 ruined his final effort.
“That is a special day for me kicking off my first Formula 1 Grand Prix weekend,” said Giovinazzi.
“I am really happy with my performance today, I was just a few tenths away from Q2.”
Having only gained his first experience in F1 machinery earlier in the year with Ferrari testing at Fiorano, Giovinazzi has settled in very quickly to life within the sport.
The Italian had already filled in for Wehrlein during the first test after being medically ruled out, but this was his first competitive day in a F1 car.
Looking ahead to his first race, he added: “It will be a long race tomorrow; a lot can happen here in Melbourne.
“I will do my best to put in my maximum performance.”
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