“I think it became quite clear after testing that we were not where we wanted”- Kimi Raikkonen on Alfa Romeo’s sluggish 2020 output.
Alfa Romeo is set to go with the pair of Antonio Giovinazzi and Kimi Raikkonen in 2021, despite speculations of major changes in the team order in the new season.
Raikkonen continuing with the team has spotted some issues with the team which were related to their sluggish 2020, as he claims he got to know about it in the initial days of winter testing. “For sure it’s not what we expected before the season started or wanted,” Raikkonen said.
“I think it became quite clear after testing that we were not where we wanted to be but there are obviously many reasons why we’re not that fast as we were, but, from that side, it’s obviously disappointing.
“I think last year [in 2019] we did let’s say, a pretty decent job even if later in the year we were definitively not where we wanted to be. Obviously, hopes were higher but quite soon obvious for all of us that we weren’t going to be where we liked to be.”
Optimistic for 2021
With Formula 1 imposing chassis freeze for 2021, and the new Ferrari engine dropping next year, Raikkonen thinks that there can be few positives for Alfa Romeo next year.
Kimi Raikkonen lending a hand in the @AlfaRomeoRacing garage after his fire in second practice. #F1 #AbuDhabiGP pic.twitter.com/WRex7Hrvf7
— RaceFans (@racefansdotnet) December 11, 2020
“A lot of work has to be done for next year so that we are in a better position,” reckons Raikkonen. “We just have to work and try to do a better job next year,
“But that’s how it goes, some years are more tricky for many reasons and, obviously, in this sport, the car makes a huge difference. Good or bad, I think every year you have disappointing results, good results and some results in the middle. It’s the name of the game.”
