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Hinwil surprise!
Alfa-Sauber will also participate in the World Championship race in the new season with the driver duo Kimi Räikkönen (41) and Antonio Giovinazzi (26). The racing team confirmed this in a press release Friday morning. Media: Mick Schumacher (21) will not be a new driver for the traditional team.
“Kimi: the greatest experience in the history of F1”
Alpha-Sauber writes: “The most experienced driver in Formula 1 history, Kimi Räikkönen, will continue to bring to the team his incredible combination of skill, racing spirit and technical knowledge. The Finn, world champion since 2007, has repeatedly demonstrated his commitment to the sport, especially with outstanding performances, such as only in the opening laps of the Portuguese GP, when he beat ten cars in one lap. Kimi is one of the most popular Formula 1 drivers and talks mainly about track performance. His technical feedback has been a very valuable contribution to the engineers over the last two seasons. “
In addition to Kimi, Antonio Giovinazzi will continue to climb into the second Hinwil race car. Alfa-Sauber writes: “Antonio’s goal is to keep improving, as he did in the first two years in this sport. He is also very popular, both in the team and throughout the paddock. He has shown a lot of maturity and adaptability. And he also has an eye for technical details, which comes from his two years as a Ferrari test driver and simulator driver. “
“Claim of continuity”
The Hinwil racing team also wrote: “This announcement confirms our claim for continuity. Kimi and Antonio go well together and have a healthy mix of experience and youthful enthusiasm. The pair harmonized with the team from day one and also have a very positive relationship with each other, not only on the track but also in their very popular work with the social media team. They quickly became fan favorites. “
Alfa-Sauber took advantage of this opportunity, as well as the renewal of the partnership with Alfa Romeo, to start this weekend in Imola with an Italian flag on the car: “As a tribute to Imola’s return to the F1 calendar, for Alfa El 110 Romeo’s birthday and the Italian fans. “
Kimi: “Alpha-Sauber is my second family”
Kimi Räikkönen is already looking forward to the next season: “Alfa-Sauber is more than a team for me, it is a second family. So many faces that were around me when I made my F1 debut in 2001 are still here and the unique atmosphere in the team gives me the added motivation to push the gas in my 19th season in the sport next year. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t believe in team projects and what we can achieve together. This team values hard work more than words and that fits very well with my style. I’m really looking forward to next year and I hope we can take some steps towards forward midfield. “
Giovinazzi: “It will restore confidence”
Italian Giovinazzi explains: “I am very happy that my relationship with Alfa-Sauber continues for a year. The team always believes in me and I do my best to restore that trust. With alot of work. We got good results and I think I have done my part to move the team forward. The road ahead is still long and we want to achieve much more together. There will be a lot of continuity between this season and the next, so everything we are working on now will count for next season. We are willing to give everything we have. “
Vasseur: “Antonio deserves a new contract”
Team boss Frédéric Vasseur on the new and old duo: “I am very happy that we can do another season with Kimi and Antonio. Kimi needs no introduction, everyone has seen her talent since 2001. I still see her passion and motivation every time she comes to work. You can trust it to be 100 percent out of the car. He is also a true leader to everyone who works around him. Antonio had a strong final push last season and has continued to improve in 2020. Antonio has an important role in the team and that is why he deserves the new contract. His work ethic, his commitment to the team and his infectious enthusiasm bring a lot to Alfa-Sauber. “
