Alfa Romeo retain Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi for 2021 F1 season

Alfa Romeo will continue with its current driver line-up consisting of Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi for the 2021 Formula 1 season.
(L to R): Kimi Raikkonen (FIN) Alfa Romeo Racing with Antonio Giovinazzi (ITA) Alfa Romeo Racing.
(L to R): Kimi Raikkonen (FIN) Alfa Romeo Racing with Antonio Giovinazzi (ITA) Alfa Romeo…
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Alfa Romeo will continue with its current driver line-up consisting of Kimi Raikkonen and Anto𓂃nio Giovinazzi for the 2021 Formula 1 season.

The Swiss squad will field an unchanged driver line-up for the third successive season in F1, with 41-year-old Raikkonen set to embark on a 19th season i📖n the sport with the te🌳am he made his debut with back in 2001.

Italian Giovinazzi has been retained alongside the 2007 season to contest his thi🍸rd full season in F1, with Alfa Romeo opting for continuity for 2021 as i♈t announced its driver plans ahead of this weekend’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola.

“Alfa Romeo Racing is more🐷 than a team to m🐼e, it is like a second family,” said Raikkonen.

"So many of the faces that were aroun🐼d me when I made my Formula 1 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.

“I wouldn’t be here if I d🔯idn’t 🍨believe in the team’s project and in what we feel we can achieve together,” he added.

“This is a team that values hard work over words and this fits well with my st🌼yle. I am looking forward to next year and hopefully maki🥂ng some steps forward towards the front of the midfield with the team.”

Giovinazzi’s future ꦚwas uncertain but Alfa Romeo and Ferrari - which has a sway over one of the se🐬ats at the Hinwil outfit - have decided to back the Italian for another season.

“The team has put a lot of faith i💯n me and I have done my best to repay thi💜s confidence with hard work and commitment,” Giovinazzi said.

“ꦕWe have achieved some good results and I feel I have done my part to make the team progress, but the road ahead 𒁃is still long and there is much more we want to achieve together.”

Alfa Romeo has endured a difficult 2020 campaign and currently lies eighth in the 💝constructors’ championship on five points, with Giovinazzi scoring three of them and Raikkonen two.

Antonio Giovinazzi (ITA) Alfa Romeo Racing C39 and Kimi Raikkonen (FIN) Alfa Romeo Racing C39.
Antonio Giovinazzi (ITA) Alfa Romeo Racing C39 and Kimi Raikkonen (FIN) Alfa Romeo Racing C39.
© xpbimages.com

Team principal Frederic Vasseur added: “I am very pleased for t🃏he team to continue working with Kimi and Antonio for another season.

“Kimi is a driver who needs𝔉 no i𓂃ntroduction: 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. Antonio fꦺinished last year’s campaign strongly and he picked up where he left off and kept improving throughout 2020.

“From the tra🌊ck 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 t꧅o the team and contagious enthusiasm are a huge asset for Alfa Romeo Racing.”

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