Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi will both be retained by Alfa Romeo for the 2021 Formula One season, the team announced on Friday ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
Commenting on his decision to stay in Formula One for another season, Raikkonen, who recently broke the record for the most grand prix starts, said:
“Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN is more than a team to me, it is like a second family. So many of the faces that were around me when I made my Formula One debut in 2001 are still here and the unique atmosphere of this team is what gives me that extra motivation to keep going in what will be my 19th season in the sport, next year.
READ: ‘Lewis Is Definitely The Toughest’: Formula One’s Safety Car Driver Opens Up
“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t believe in the team’s project and in what we feel we can achieve together. This is a team that values hard work over words and this fits well with my style: I am looking forward to next year and hopefully making some steps forward towards the front of the midfield with the team,” Raikkonen added.
Meanwhile, Antonio Giovinazzi, who was previously thought to potentially be spending his last season with the team, said:
“Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN has been my home in Formula One for the last two seasons and I am happy this relationship can continue for one more year.
“The team has put a lot of faith in me and I have done my best to repay this confidence with hard work and commitment: we have achieved some good results and I feel I have done my part to make the team progress, but the road ahead is still long and there is much more we want to achieve together.
Alfa Romeo team principal Frederic Vasseur said he is pleased to continue working with Raikkonen and Giovinazzi.
“Kimi is a driver who needs no introduction: his talent has been clear to everyone since 2001 and I still see the passion and motivation in him every time I see him at work.
“He can be trusted to deliver 100% of what the car can produce and he is a true leader for the people working around him,” he added.
Continuing, Vasseur said: “Antonio finished last year’s campaign strongly and he picked up where he left off and kept improving throughout 2020. From the track to the engineering briefings, Antonio has played a crucial role for our team and he has thoroughly deserved a new contract for 2021.
“His work ethic, commitment to the team and contagious enthusiasm are a huge asset for Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN,” he concluded.
READ: Amnesty International Accuses Saudi Government Of Using F1 To ‘Sportswash’ Itself
Enjoyed reading this article? Consider sharing it: