Alfa Romeo

Valtteri Bottas and Guanyu Zhou make their debut with Alfa Romeo in Abu Dhabi Post Season Test

Kevin Peterson01 mins

After completing the 2021 Formula Season with Mercedes, Valtteri Bottas was back on the track with his new team Alfa Romeo. This comes after Alfa Romeo announced their all new 2022 driver line-up back in November. Partnering Bottas for the 18 inch Pirelli tyre Post Season Test was Guanyu Zhou who made a debut in Formula 1 after racing for Uni Virtuosi in Formula 2. Zhou was the runner up in Formula 2 Championship after Oscar Piastri claimed the F2 title. The two Alfa Romeo drivers set out to the track at Yas Marina with Bottas sporting 18 inch Pirelli tyres which are set for 2022. Zhou on the other hand, got to experience the Alfa Romeo 2021 car after getting acquainted with the Swiss team. However, Bottas was running on a mule car which Zhou will switch to on Wednesday for Pirelli tyre test.

Alfa Romeo boss admits Zhou’s financial background was key to his signing

Kevin Peterson04 mins

Alfa Romeo boss Frederic Vasseur admits the financial backing Guanyu Zhou will bring to the team was “a pillar” of his decision to give him a drive next year, but insists “not the only one”. Zhou has been recruited to run alongside Valtteri Bottas at Alfa next season and will bring a significant level of funding to the team – coupled with the potential marketing opportunities for the sport which will present themselves through having its first ever full-time Chinese driver. But despite those factors, the team principal insists Zhou’s driving was still a big factor in his appointment to the seat. “The first criteria is the performance of the team,” Vasseur told reporters in Qatar. “It means that to be performant you need to have good drivers, good technicians, good engineers, a good feeling from the drivers and a good budget. “It was a pillar of the decision, for sure. I was always clear like this because we want to get the cost cap. It’s the best way for us to be performant. “But it’s not the only one. I think Zhou is doing a very good job in F2 and I think everyone underestimates the level of performance and the job done by Zhou this season.” Vasseur also reiterated Zhou has been released by the Alpine junior ranks to be able to drive for Alfa, with having a “free hand” being a significant part of his decision to opt for Zhou over Oscar Piastri. The two drivers are locked in a battle at the top of the Formula 2 standings heading into their final rounds of the season and Vasseur feels Zhou’s drive and “determination” have proven he was “the right choice” to drive for the team next year. “The performance is speaking for itself,” he said. “He’s a front-runner, he won this season at Bahrain and Silverstone. In F2 they are probably the two most demanding tracks – Bahrain for tyre management and Silverstone [for] its high-speed corners. “But he did some pole positions, he’s always there, consistent and I’m sure he will do well next year. “And also I would say the determination, because he moved from China to Europe and we know perfectly that when you move from Europe even to Japan, it’s not an easy move for a driver and Zhou did the opposite. “When you are 13 and you move to Europe just because you want to become a racing driver, for me it’s a mega, huge commitment. “I’m convinced he will put all of his energy into the project and I’m convinced he will do well.”

Alfa Romeo boss disappointed with Giovinazzi’s comments after F1 exit announcement

Kevin Peterson03 mins

Alfa Romeo boss Frederic Vasseur says he wasn’t pleased with Antonio Giovinazzi’s behaviour. This comes after Alfa Romeo made an announcement earlier this week to replace Giovinazzi with Chinese driver Guanyu Zhou for 2022. The Italian driver expressed his disappointment with the Swiss-based team for not retaining him for the 2022 season. Instead, they opted for Zhou, a driver who is reportedly getting a huge cash injection into the team. Antonio took to Twitter to reveal his emotions, and how brutal the world of Formula One can be. “F1 is emotion, talent, cars, risk, speed. But when money rules it can be ruthless. I believe in the surprise of an unexpected result, of big or small victories achieved thanks to one’s commitment. If this was my first picture on a F1, the last still has to be taken,” read his statement on Twitter. The statement and remarks about Guanyu Zhou’s recruitment didn’t go well with Frederic Vasseur. There was a lot of speculation about who will get the second seat at the Swiss-based team. Now it is confirmed that Zhou will be behind the wheel next year. While Antonio will part ways with the team. Additionally, the comments made by the Italian driver didn’t suit Vasseur and stated he was disappointed with Antonio’s behavior. “Well, honestly, I think it’s important for him to close the chapter, at least on this season, doing well on track,” said Vasseur in an interview with Will Buxton. “I saw the comments. Honestly, I’m not a big fan of this kind of attitude: also because the team gave him the chance to do three seasons in F1, and Alfa Romeo gave him the chance to do three seasons in F1. Tons of drivers would have dreamed to do it.” “Now he will have other challenges. He will have to do well in that other challenge, and perhaps he will come back in F1 in the future. But it’s a small world and we have to stay professional,” he concluded.

Giovinazzi to race for Dragon Penske Formula E team in 2022 after F1 exit

Kevin Peterson01 mins

Antonio Giovinazzi has confirmed that he’s already secured a race seat for 2022, having lost his Alfa Romeo drive for next season. Giovinazzi has been replaced by Guanyu Zhou at Alfa Romeo for next year and, with all the seats on the grid now filled, was left on the F1 sidelines. But Giovinazzi has confirmed that he will still be racing in 2022, as he’s secured a seat with the Dragon Penske Autosport Formula E team. “It’s going to be thrilling. It’s going to be challenging It’s going to be …….electrifying!!!!!!” read a short tweet from Giovinazzi’s Twitter account, showing the current Alfa Romeo driver bedecked in the overalls of his new team. He’ll team up with Sergio Sette Camara at the outfit, with the 2021/22 Formula E season set to get underway in Saudi Arabia on 28 January.

Giovinazzi claims F1 is ‘ruthless’ when ‘money rules’ following Alfa Romeo exit

Kevin Peterson02 mins

Antonio Giovinazzi has claimed F1 can be “ruthless” when “money rules” after being dropped by Alfa Romeo for 2022. The Italian will be replaced by F2 contender Guanyu Zhou, who will become the first Chinese driver in the sport’s history and is believed to be heavily backed financially. The move brings an end to Giovinazzi’s association with Alfa Romeo and Sauber which began in 2017 when he stood in for Pascal Wehrlein at the start of the season before becoming a full-time driver in 2019. In a social media post after his departure was announced, Giovinazzi said: “F1 is emotion, talent, cars, risk, speed. But when money rules it can be ruthless. “I believe in the surprise of an unexpected result, of big or small victories achieved thanks to one’s commitment.” In a separate post, Giovinazzi added: “Unfortunately, we often struggle to find the right words to show our gratitude towards someone. “But I think there’s nothing more beautiful than being able to say thank you. “Thank you for everything and those team members who have supported me through all these wonderful years. “The biggest thank you is to my fans, who have always been close to me and made me feel their affection in every occasion.” Zhou’s announcement completes the grid for F1 2022, with Giovinazzi moving to Dragon Racing in Formula E. The Chinese driver will partner Valtteri Bottas next season, who makes the move from Mercedes.