Updated:30/10/2020 11:17h
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Finn Kimi Raikkonen and Italian Antonio Giovinazzi will continue one more season as drivers of Alfa Romeo, for which they will complete their third year with the transalpine brand in the World Championship, the Formula 1 team has confirmed this Friday.
In this way, the 41-year-old world champion in 2007 extends his relationship with the team after having become last weekend in the Portuguese Grand Prix in the rider with the most participations in Grand Prix in history, with 327.
Since making his debut in the ‘Great Circus’ at the hands of Sauber in 2001, the Finn has passed through McLaren, Ferrari, Lotus and Alfa Romeo. In 2007, in his first year in the ‘Scuderia’, he was proclaimed world champion, crowning a record of 21 victories, 103 podiums and 18 poles.
Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN is more than a team for me, it is like a second family. Many of the faces that were around me when I made my Formula 1 debut in 2001 are still here and the unique atmosphere of this team is what gives me that added motivation to keep going in what will be my nineteenth seasonRaikkonen pointed out.
“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t believe in the team’s project and what we believe we can achieve together. This is a team that values hard work over words and this fits my style well.“I’m looking forward to next year and hopefully taking a few steps from the middle of the grid up with the team,” he added.
For his part, Giovinazzi, 26, made his Sauber debut in 2017, although it was not until 2019 that he finally got the wheel. Alfa Romeo has been my home in Formula 1 for the last two seasons and I am happy that this relationship can continue for another year. The team has placed a lot of faith in me and I have done everything possible to return this trust with hard work and commitment, “he said.
Sauber’s team principal and CEO, Frédéric Vasseur, was very satisfied with the deal. «Kimi is a pilot who needs no introduction– His talent has been evident to everyone since 2001 and I still see the passion and motivation in him every time I see him work. He will give 100% of what the car can produce and is a true leader for the people who work around him, “he explained.
«Antonio finished last year strong and picked up where he left off in 2020. From the track to the engineering briefings, Antonio has played a crucial role for our team and has deserved a new contract for 2021. His work ethic, commitment to the team and the enthusiasm he infects are a great asset to Alfa Romeo, ”he said.
With the renovations of Raikkonen and Giovinazzi, the grid is closing for 2021, in which Mick Schumacher still aspires to enter, son of seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, who could fill a niche at Haas.
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