Formula 1 | ‘Terribly unlucky’ at Imola, Alfa drivers want to chase disillusionment

Alfa Romeo ought to have scored a number of factors at Imola, however an erratic penalty inflicted by the FIA ​​on Kimi Räikkönen and a pull-off having slipped into the brakes of Antonio Giovinazzi, received the higher of the hopes of the Swiss crew …

In Portimao this weekend, nevertheless, it is going to be time for Alfa Romeo to affirm this progress, particularly in race tempo, to lastly enter the highest 10 this yr. And if Portimao doesn’t smile on Kimi Räikkönen, there’ll nonetheless be an opportunity a number of days later, in Barcelona.

Is the Finn nonetheless annoyed with Imola’s penalty? Not actually: he particularly needs to affirm the potential of his crew. Kimi Räikkönen doesn’t want to suppose an excessive amount of about his memorable first lap final yr in Portimao (ranging from the again of the grid, he climbed up to sixth place in a loop thanks to his delicate tires on a barely moist monitor) to keep targeted on the brand new occasion of this Sunday.

“Two extra races means two extra probabilities to get an excellent outcome, which we virtually did within the first rounds of the season. We are usually not very far, we’re in the course of the fray and we will combat with anybody in the course of the grid if we do our job proper and if now we have slightly luck which we missed. to this point this season. “

“Last yr I had a enjoyable first lap in Portugal, however I will not give it some thought: in the long run it does not actually matter the way you begin a race, however the place you finish it and now we have to end it within the high 10 to attain our purpose. “

Antonio Giovinazzi additionally confirmed good potential in race tempo at Imola, which he additionally needs to affirm – with much less dangerous luck, lastly!

“I can not wait to be again within the automobile for the races in Portugal and Spain. I’ve the sensation that we didn’t get what we deserved within the first two races: we have been terribly unfortunate, particularly at Imola the place we may have been ninth or tenth if there had not been a tear -off in a brake. We have to profit from these performances and use it as an encouragement to do even higher within the subsequent races: we all know that we’re in a really shut combat and we all know that we will come residence with superb outcomes if issues go our method. “

As for Frédéric Vasseur, the crew supervisor, he believes that Alfa Romeo can deal with Portimao and Barcelona “with confidence.”

“We have been in a position to have an excellent efficiency in the previous couple of races, and we’re decided to make up for misplaced time, after these circumstances which prevented us from scoring within the first two races of the season. We know that we may have, and will have, had two vehicles within the factors on advantage within the final Grand Prix, however that is no comfort as a result of solely the tip outcome counts. Now is the time to flip efficiency into factors: we all know we want a flawless weekend to get forward of the opposite groups in the course of the desk and we’re decided to do it. “

Note that in FP1 in Portugal, Callum Ilott will happen in one of many two Alfa Romeos. The Briton was named the crew’s reserve driver right this moment (see our article).