Raikkonen-Giovinazzi’s Alfa Romeo F1 Career Set to Face a Rockier Ending With Latest News

The replacement of Antonio Giovinazzi with Guanyu Zhou was no secret. However, the Italian wasn’t too happy with his team. Now, it’s likely the feeling will continue as As Alfa Romeo came unprepared for the Qatar GP.

The circuit in Losail has proven to be tough, as the curbs on the circuit heavily damaged the bargeboards on the cars. With only a few floors in hand, the team had to send Raikkonen and Giovinazzi’s floors back to Hinwil for repair after the weekend. However, now they scurry for the components to arrive in time for the final race of the season.

Formula One F1 – Qatar Grand Prix – Losail International Circuit, Lusail, Qatar – November 19, 2021 Alfa Romeo’s Antonio Giovinazzi in action during practice REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed

The team manager explained the team’s thought process. “You don’t build any new parts like that so late in the season.” He revealed what sounds like a big problem for the team. “It takes 20 days to produce a new floor.”

Read more: Pierre Gasly Puncture: Sebastian Vettel Calls Out F1’s Double-Standards in Qatar

As a result, Fred Vasseur admits the duo will have to face Sunday’s race with damaged floorboards. As Kimi and Gio face the last three races of their F1 careers, this news mustn’t be too pleasant for them. Additionally, with the pandemic slowing down freight transportation, the team is in big trouble.

A controversial new start for Alfa Romeo in 2022

Although Kimi Raikkonen’s retirement and ‘Valtteri Bottas’ shift was timed perfectly, many weren’t happy with the team showing the door to Giovinazzi; including his teammate.

Final act of the triple header coming up! #QatarGP pic.twitter.com/6RB1Yg7mvw

— Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN (@alfaromeoracing) November 21, 2021

The Finn believed Gio deserved better. “Obviously it’s a shame for him. He’s a very nice guy, we’ve known each for quite a while, since the Ferrari days, already. But, you know, that’s how sometimes it goes. Hopefully, he found something good to do and, hopefully, one day, he has another chance in Formula 1.”

Nonetheless, Raikkonen knows it’s a difficult wish to come true. “But there’s not that many cars and, for sure, there’s a lot of people trying to come into Formula 1, so, let’s hope so.”

La @F1 è talento, macchina, rischio, velocità. Ma sa anche essere spietata, quando a dettarne le regole è il denaro.
Io credo nelle piccole e grandi vittorie raggiunte grazie ai propri mezzi.
Questa è stata la mia prima foto su una F1, l’ultima non è ancora stata scattata pic.twitter.com/Tm5bgIteN5

— Antonio Giovinazzi (@Anto_Giovinazzi) November 16, 2021

Antonio Giovinazzi shared his anger at losing his seat over money. He seemed rather defeated with the situation saying, “For sure something could be better, something were good, I’m happy with myself, nothing I can do more. Every time you asked me about my future I always said it was not in my hand and it was like this.”

Regardless, now the news of a damaged car erases the hopes of ending the season competitively and on a high. Right now, it’s fingers crossed for the team as maybe luck will favor the duo.

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