Alfa/Sauber: Goal-oriented continuity 🎥

Peter Sauber looks back on Kimi Räikkönen's decisive Mugello test in 2001 in a recent video. Today's team boss Frédéric Vasseur also raves about the Finn.

The contract extension with Räikkönen and Giovinazzi underlines the team's strategy of continuity, he said. Both drivers form a solid and well-matched lineup that represents a healthy mix of experience and youthful enthusiasm.

This, he said, lays the foundation for Alfa Romeo Racing to focus on further improving performance in the 2021 season.

The goal is eighth place in the World Cup in 2020
The drivers, for their part, were quick to repay the trust placed in them by giving their team its first double points win - P9 for Raikkonen and P10 for Giovinazzi - of the current season at the Emilia Romagna GP.

In the Constructors' World Championship, the Swiss-Italian team now holds eighth intermediate place with eight points ahead of the second Ferrari customer team Haas (3) and Williams (0). Trying to achieve more would be illusory, as AlphaTauri in 7th place already has 89 points.

Historical connection with Italo pilots
In 2018, Antonio Giovinazzi became the first Italian in six years to compete permanently in the Formula 1 World Championship again. According to his team, his performance showed an increase that was a fundamental factor for success in Formula 1.

In the current season, Giovinazzi has particularly excelled in the respective starting phases, where he was able to make up several positions in each race. The most recent example was his advance from 20th on the grid to 14th in just one lap.

In addition, Alfa Romeo's attachment to Italian drivers also plays a role. They are part of the brand's great history in motorsport. In 1950, for example, Nino Farina became the first world champion in the history of Formula 1 at the wheel of the Alfa Romeo Tipo 158 "Alfetta.

Contagious enthusiasm
In the present, however, this is not to be expected from the 26-year-old Italian. The team boss expressed his confidence in him for other reasons.

Frédéric Vasseur: "From the race track to the technical meetings, Antonio has played a crucial role for our team. His work ethic, commitment to the team and infectious enthusiasm are a great asset to Alfa Romeo Racing."

Raikkonen's experience and popularity
Getting another contract at the age of 41 was not a foregone conclusion, even in the case of Kimi Räikkönen. What counts for the Hinwil-based team is the experience of the longest-serving driver in the current Formula 1 field. It is his incredible mix of skill, racing instinct and technical knowledge that the 2007 world champion brings to the table.

As one of the most popular drivers with a loyal fan base around the globe, Kimi Räikkönen delivers his performances on the race track on the one hand. But on the other hand, he also talks to the engineers. His technical feedback and impressive feel for a race car would have made a valuable contribution to the team's development.

Frédéric Vasseur: "Kimi is a driver who no longer needs to be introduced to anyone. When I see him at work, I'm struck by his passion and motivation. You can count on him to deliver 100 percent of what the car can do. He's also a real leader for the people who work with him."

Like a second family
The Finn has a special relationship with the staff in Hinwil anyway. Apart from the unbroken friendship with team manager Beat Zehnder, he has known some faces since his Formula 1 debut in 2001.

Kimi Räikkönen: "They are like a second family to me. The unique atmosphere of this team gives me the extra motivation for my 19th season in Formula 1. I wouldn't be here if I didn't believe in the team and what we can achieve together. This is a team that values hard work more than words, and that suits my style well. I'm looking forward to next year and hope to take some steps forward with the team towards the top of the midfield."

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