Alfa Romeo Boss Reveals Uneasy Mercedes ‘Situation’ in Big Blow to de Vries’ F1 Hopes

Alfa Romeo Racing confirmed Valtteri Bottas as their driver for the 2022 season. The Mercedes driver will replace fellow Finn Kimi Raikkonen who has decided to retire at the end of this season. Team Principal Fredric Vasseur is delighted that Bottas has joined the Swiss team.

Vasseur stated that Bottas’s experience racing at the front of the grid will help to progress up the field. He also mentioned that the eta has not decided on their second driver yet and will announce soon.

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For sure it’s not the most comfortable situation: Fred Vasseur

There are some reports mentioning that Mercedes Academy driver and former F2 champion Nyck de Vries may take the second seat at the Swiss team. But Vasseur stated there are some complications with hiring de Vries.

“For sure, it’s not the most comfortable situation,” said Alfa Romeo team boss regarding the hiring of the Dutch driver.

“I think Nyck did a good job in the junior series, that he won the F2 with ART, he won the Formula E this season and he did a good job when he jumped into the car in F1 in Abu Dhabi last year, I think.

I know him very well because he drove for ART a couple of years in the past, but I think the situation with Mercedes is not an easy one. And… you are doing the list. I’m not doing the list!” said Vasseur.

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Alfa Romeo team boss explains why they hired Bottas for 2022

Although Bottas joining Alfa Romeo was never in doubt. But there were some reporters that Haas driver Mick Schumacher might join the Swiss team for the 2022 season, but they went for the Finnish driver. Fred Vasseur explains why they decided to go for Bottas over younger drivers.

Formula One F1 – Italian Grand Prix – Autodromo Nazionale Monza, Monza, Italy – September 10, 2021, Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas celebrates pole position for the sprint qualifying Pool via REUTERS/Lars Baron

“Why not? No, but he’s a frontrunner in the championship over the last five years. If you compare with Lewis, he had always a huge performance in quali; he was something 0.2 percent off average and he will bring also his own experience and the fact he worked with Mercedes will be an asset for sure.” said Vasseur.

There are many drivers in the running for the second seat at the Swiss team. F2 driver Guanyu Zhou is currently leading the discussion with other possible names being Nyck de Vries, Oscar Piastri, and Antonio Giovinazzi.

Who will partner Bottas at Alfa Romeo? Let us know.

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