Fisichella: Kimi is a "reference point" for Giovinazzi

Antonio Giovinazzi will become the first full time Italian F1 driver since Jarno Trulli and Vitantonio Liuzzi in 2011 when he races for Alfa Romeo in 2019.

The Alfa Romeo is tipped to be a decent car this season, so Giovinazzi will be expected to score regular points.

Points may come easier than competing with his team mate however, who happens to be 2007 World Champion, 21 time race winner and the owner of over a century of podium finishes, Kimi Raikkonen.

Former F1 race winner and Giovinazzi’s fellow Italian, Giancarlo Fisichella has said that it wouldn’t be the end of the world if Giovinazzi was slower than Raikkonen.

Fisichella said: "It's best if he can stay ahead of Raikkonen. Kimi is a reference point, a world champion. But if he cannot, it is not a big drama.

"What is important for Antonio is to keep a margin in his pocket -- one or two tenths that allow him to finish the races and score points.

"At least in the first races it is important not to retire or break the car.”