Only one driver in the 2020 season has failed to make it through to Q2 and Antonio Giovinazzi believes Alfa Romeo now has the package to pass the first hurdle on a Saturday.
Alfa Romeo has struggled for one-lap pace this season and at each event Giovinazzi has dropped out in Q1, failing to qualify higher than 17th.
But team-mate Kimi Raikkonen has reached Q2 at three of the past four grands prix and Giovinazzi says that is a position he is now targeting.
“I am looking forward to returning to the car after this week off as I still feel the frustration from the last race,” said Giovinazzi, who was involved in the multi-car pile-up at the Tuscan Grand Prix.
“We have seen with Kimi that the potential to get a good result is there but I effectively only got to race for one corner in Mugello.
“I want to get back behind the wheel and push to get to Q2 on Saturday and into the points on race day.
“My only racing experience in Sochi, last year, wasn’t a very lucky one, as I was squeezed into contact at lap one and had to stop for repairs: I have unfinished business here and I want to put it right this year.”
Raikkonen picked up his first points of the year at Mugello as he classified in ninth position.
The result gave Alfa Romeo further breathing space over backmarker rivals Haas and Williams in the battle for eighth in the Constructors’ Championship.
“Having made it to Q2 in the last few races, we have seen we can keep up with the cars around there and fight for a place in the points so that has to be the target for this weekend as well,” he said.
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