First run in F1 2017 car a “special day” for Giovinazzi

The highly-rated Italian, loaned to the Swiss team by Ferrari, lost the morning session to an engine problem. However, in the afternoon he took his total up to 67 laps.

Giovinazzi had already driven an old Ferrari on demo tyres, but the mileage he’s logging with Sauber this week is invaluable, given that as reserve will be on standby to step in for Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen throughout this season.

“A really special day, the first time in an F1 official test is a big thing for me,” he said. “Last year I was in GP2, and to have this opportunity of course is great for me. I need to just work really hard. It’s really special for me, and to be in the car is something important for a driver.

“It’s one of the best opportunities I could have, to drive already the new car. Then we’ll see. So far my job is reserve driver in Ferrari, I will do this, and then if Ferrari decide to put in some team or [give me] something to do, I need to be just ready every time.”

Giovinazzi admitted his first day was physically tough: “The first official test is always really hard, also I remember last year when I tested in GP2, winter training is always important, you need to train a lot, but when you jump in the car it’s always a different thing.

"Of course with these new tyres with a lot of grip, with the neck it was quite hard - just also to see where I am, I will work when I come home next time.”

No racing programme in 2017

Giovinazzi also confirmed that, unlike former GP2 teammate and Red Bull reserve Pierre Gasly – who is racing in Japan this year – he won’t have a programme outside his F1 duties.

“For now I am the third driver, I will do a lot the simulator, I will follow the race weekends in F1, and see what happens," Giovinazzi said.

"Of course it will be more tough than all the years I did in my career, to be in the paddock will be quite different, less adrenaline.

“But F1 what I saw also today is quite a difficult car, especially with all the functions in the steering wheel. The simulator is also really good to learn these things, and be ready when they want to put me in a car.”

Regarding his chances to participate the two young driver days at the in-season F1 tests, he said: “We don’t know yet. I think they’ll decide, so we will see.”