Giovinazzi finished runner-up to in his first season in GP2, with a field-best five wins, having moved up from European F3.

The Italian says he hoped his GP2 success would catch the eye of a couple of Formula 1 outfits, but admits he never expected to be signed by Ferrari.

"The test on the [Ferrari] simulator after the Italian Grand Prix made believe there was a chance, a glimmer of hope," Giovinazzi, who is also thought to have had an offer from Mercedes, told Motorsport.com.

"I hoped that some F1 teams would show interest in what I had been doing in GP2, but to know Ferrari was really interested to meet me was a big surprise.

"Then there was a second call, and there things were finalised."

The exact details of Giovinazzi's third-driver programme with Ferrari in 2017 are as of yet unconfirmed, but the Italian says he will act as reserve to the team's current drivers Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen.

"Right now my job is to do testing work on the simulator and make sure I am ready [as a stand-in] in case there is a need," he explained. "I know that it won’t be pleasant to see the other drivers race while I am sat in the pits.

"But for me Formula 1 is a new world, and I will make the most of this opportunity to learn as much as possible by being in contact with Ferrari’s technical staff and familiarising myself with the whole environment.

"And then I hope to be on track in 2018."

"Wouldn't change anything" about 2016

Giovinazzi went into the GP2 title decider in Abu Dhabi at the head of the standings, but was eventually beaten to the championship by Prema teammate Pierre Gasly by eight points.

Despite his palpable disappointment at missing out on the GP2 crown, the Italian insists he wouldn't change a thing about the season that put him on the F1 radar.

"Obviously, every driver wants to win, but if I look back on 2016 considering what expectations I had, I think it was a very positive season. I never imagined I would find myself fighting for the title in the last race of the season," Giovinazzi said.

"It was a fantastic year. Like I already said, my regret is arriving in Abu Dhabi at the top of the standings and then losing the title. But it was an extraordinary season, and I wouldn’t change anything if I had to repeat it.

"The races I won from last [Monza feature and Baku sprint] I think made an impression, they helped to leave a mark."

Interview by Roberto Chinchero