“I’m not feeling 100 percent with the car”: Antonio Giovinazzi opens up about the difficulties of adjusting to a Formula E car

"I'm not feeling 100 percent with the car": Antonio Giovinazzi opens up about the difficulties of adjusting to a Formula E car

Antonio Giovinazzi admits he’s having difficulties adjusting to the ‘zero downforce’ Gen2 cars in Formula-E. 

Giovinazzi’s F1 venture has come to an end, for now. His contract with Alfa Romeo wasn’t renewed beyond 2021, and he will be replaced at the team by Chinese driver Guanyu Zhou.

As a result, the Italian will make the switch to Formula-E in 2o22, where he will drive for the Dragon Penske team. He will still remain a part of F1, as a reserve driver for Ferrari, but his main focus will be to adjust to a completely different type of race-car.

The 28 year old previously drove a Formula E car in 2018, and also took part in a testing at Valencia ahead of last year’s Saudi Arabian GP. After taking part in the test, Giovinazzi admitted that he was finding it difficult to adjust to the cars.

“I was expecting that it will not be easy. Especially as I drove the Gen1 car in 2018 at the rookie test.” said Antonio.

“This Gen2 car for sure is better. But I was expecting it to be a little more easy. It was really complicated in terms of braking.”

Also read: George Russell feels he was ready to join Mercedes after two seasons with Williams

The Formula-E cars have no grip and no downforce, says Antonio Giovinazzi

Giovinazzi went on to say that driving those cars feel like driving an F1 car in wet-conditions. He cited the lack of grip and downforce as major reasons for his difficulties.

“I remember after the first day I was completely lost. I just needed to put some new inputs to my mind because it is a car that in terms of balance and everything, I never drove before.” said the former Alfa Romeo driver.

“Here you need to brake really soft. You have not much grip, so no downforce, and you can’t carry a lot of speed into the corners.”

“Everything was new and with no sound. Then we went to the race pace energy management and it was all new, new things for myself.”

“I’m still not feeling 100 percent with the car but it’s something that I like and to try to do the best work possible with just a few days with the team and the car.” Giovinazzi concluded.

Also read: Former Ferrari boss had rejected Ayrton Senna’s proposal to join Ferrari in 1994

Post Edited By: Subham Jindal
Alfa Romeo Antonio Giovinazzi Dragon Penske ferrari Formula E

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Somin Bhattacharjee

Basketball Editor Somin Bhattacharjee first discovered the game during the 2014 FIBA World Cup. Not long after, he turned to the NBA and found himself drawn to the Golden State Warriors — right at the start of Stephen Curry’s rise. Over time, the admiration turned into full-blown support for the team, one that continues even as the Curry era approaches its twilight. A true hoophead, Somin also follows EuroLeague basketball closely and enjoys exploring the game beyond the NBA. Though holding a bachelor's degree in marketing, Somin discovered his true calling in writing. Since 2021, he has penned over 3,000 articles for TheSportsRush, covering everything from breaking news to sharp opinion pieces and detailed exclusives. He thrives on writing about in-game moments and the reactions that make basketball a uniquely emotional sport. Beyond basketball, Somin plays different sports including soccer and remains a passionate fan of Spanish football giants Real Madrid

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