F1 | Vito Giovinazzi reveals: “Mercedes wanted to offer Antonio a contract”

Antonio Giovinazzi could have ended up at Mercedes. This market indiscretion was given by the father of the driver from Martina Franca in an interview given to La Gazzetta dello Sport. Giovinazzi senior has in fact admitted that at the end of the 2017 Australian GP, ​​the race which saw Antonio's debut in F1 driving for Sauber where he replaced Pascal Wehrlein, Toto Wolff himself complimented his son by offering him a place in the DTM and the role as a reserve driver in the Stella team.

But Antonio Giovinazzi's love for red colors prevailed, with the interested party declining the offer.

"Antonio arrived at Ferrari at the end of 2016 following an agreement with Sergio Marchionne – declared Vito Giovinazzi – When 2017 began, Maurizio Arrivabene informed him that he would replace Pascal Wehrlein at Sauber due to back problems. In China things didn't go so well for us, but when my son finished 12th in Australia, Toto Wolff also came to congratulate us. He offered us a contract to be an official DTM driver and third Mercedes driver in F1. Antonio has a red heart and made the decision he thought was appropriate".