Vasseur cryptic about Giovinazzi leaving: 'I'll keep that private'

For Frédéric Vasseur it was a morning of bringing good and bad news. On the one hand he and his team Alfa Romeo announced the arrival of Guanyu Zhou as a driver for 2022, on the other hand, Vasseur had to announce the forced departure of Antonio Giovinazzi.

Never complained

Giovinazzi's departure comes as no surprise. In conversation with the Italian branch of Motorsport.com Giovinazzi explains what made Alfa Rome do this. He does so initially with cryptic phrasing. "Antonio has been with us for three seasons, with highs and lows. I've never complained about my drivers and I won't now. It's always my approach not through the media, but privately to discuss certain issues with them."

There seems to be some dissatisfaction from Vasseur's words. It is true that Giovinazzi has grown in his opinion, but his team and Formula 1 are facing a new era. "A new challenge with new regulations. We felt this was the right time for change." So Zhou comes to Alfa Romeo, a driver about whom opinions are divided. "There are many opinions," says Vasseur. "I think a driver who is able to be competitive on circuits in Bahrain or Silverstone can do a good job (for us). Overall, Guanyu is having a good season, regardless of the final result in the final standings. "

Of influence

Vasseur admits that the commercial picture also influenced the decision to contract Zhou. "It's obviously a great opportunity for both the marketing of our team and our sponsors," says Vasseur, pointing to the large Chinese market. "More generally, I think it's an important opportunity for the whole of Formula 1, including the other teams."