The signing of Giovinazzi means an all-new driver lineup at Sauber, with current driver Marcus Ericsson assuming test driver duties.

"This is a dream come true, and it is a great pleasure to have the chance to race for this team," said Giovinazzi. "As an Italian, it is a huge honour for me to represent a brand as iconic and successful as Alfa Romeo in our sport."

Giovinazzi is part of Ferrari’s junior driver programme and has effectively been installed in the Sauber seat by Ferrari, which is Sauber’s engine supplier and, through the Alfa Romeo name, also its major sponsor.

Giovinazzi has served as Sauber’s test driver this season, and raced twice last year for Sauber as substitute for the injured Pascal Wehrlein.

"We first signed Kimi Raikkonen,” team principal Frederic Vasseur explained, “an extremely experienced driver who will contribute to the development of our car and will accelerate the progress of our team as a whole.

"Together with Alfa Romeo, we are delighted to welcome Antonio Giovinazzi, who will take the place of Charles Leclerc.

"We have already had the opportunity to work with him in the past and he has proven to have great potential."