Alfa Romeo has confirmed its 2020 F1 driver line-up, with Antonio Giovinazzi remaining for a second season alongside Kimi Räikkönen

Antonio Giovinazzi will drive for Alfa Romeo next year, after the team extended the Italian’s contract following a series of strong performances.

A shaky start to the season put his future in doubt, but Giovinazzi has matched Kimi Räikkönen since the summer break, regularly outqualifying his more experienced team-mate, and making his case for a second season with the team.

In a statement published after the United States Grand Prix, Alfa Romeo praised him for his maturity, enthusiasm and talent.

“I am very happy to be staying with the team for 2020,” said Giovinazzi. “I am grateful for the incredible level of support I received in my first full season in Formula 1: everyone in the team has stuck by my side since I joined and I am really looking forward to continuing our journey together.

“We learned a lot this year and I am confident we can make a big step forward next season. I won’t be a rookie anymore so there won’t be any excuses for me: I want to be competitive right from the start of the championship and repay the confidence the team has shown in me.”

More on F1 in 2020

• 2020 F1 driver line-up: latest news and rumours
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Frédéric Vasseur, Alfa Romeo’s team principal had said that Giovinazzi was in line to retain his seat if he could maintain his level of performance since the summer break: since the Belgian Grand Prix, Giovinazzi has outqualified Räikkönen in four of the seven races.

“Antonio has done really well this year and I am extremely pleased to be able to confirm he will stay with Alfa Romeo Racing for 2020,” said Vasseur. “The way he has integrated into the team and has consistently improved throughout his first full season in the sport are very promising and we cannot wait to unlock his full potential as we continue to work together.

“Antonio has emerged as a very quick driver, even alongside as tough a benchmark as Kimi, and we expect him to develop even further as his experience grows. His technical feedback, work ethics and positive approach will help us continue to push our team forward, and so will the consistency of an unchanged line-up for next season.”