Formula 1

Alfa Romeo F1 team has reasons to be optimistic for Chinese GP – Räikkönen

1 Mins read
Kimi Räikkönen - Formula 1 - 2019 Bahrain GP
Credit: Alfa Romeo Racing

Kimi Räikkönen believes that Alfa Romeo Racing should be “confident” heading into the Chinese Grand Prix, Formula 1‘s landmark 1000th race.

Alfa Romeo struggled in Bahrain a fortnight ago, with its Friday running disrupted by cooling issues for both Räikkönen and team-mate Antonio Giovinazzi in Free Practice 2.

Räikkönen managed to take seventh place in the race at the Bahrain International Circuit, and took advantage of a late double failure for the Renault F1 Team, to collect his second consecutive points finish to start 2019 and move himself into the top six of the Drivers’ Championship.

The Finn said that Alfa Romeo holds confidence in its potential to score another good result and aid its battle to move to the front of the tight midfield battle.

“We have been working on making progress over the past two race weekends and feel confident of our potential,” said Räikkönen.

“I look forward to seeing what we will achieve at this next one in Shanghai.”

A veteran of 293 grands prix starts, Räikkönen said that he is privileged to have experienced some of F1’s most iconic moments – some that he played a central role in.

“The next race will be a special one,” he added.

“I have had the chance to experience some of the great moments in Formula 1 history and am happy to continue making history with Alfa Romeo Racing.”

2007 champion Räikkönen joked in the Thursday Press Conference at the Shanghai International Circuit that he wanted to sport an archaic open-face helmet for the 1000th race, swiftly adding that the regulations dented his bid.

“No [there isn’t a special design],” deadpanned Räikkönen.

“I wanted to have [an] open-face helmet but there were some…regulation issues!”

776 posts

About author
DTM, Formula 1 writer and deputy editor for The Checkered Flag. Autosport Academy member and freelance voice over artist.
Articles
Related posts
Formula 1

2024 Australian Grand Prix - TCF Driver of the Weekend

2 Mins read
TheCheckeredFlag Driver of the Weekend is revealed for the 2024 Australian Grand Prix.
Formula 1

2024 Australian Grand Prix – What the Team Principals are Saying after the Race

7 Mins read
The ten Team Principals reflect on drivers performances at Albert Park during Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix, a race that saw Ferrari claim their first win of 2024.
Formula 1

2024 Australian Grand Prix – What the Drivers are Saying after the Race – Part 2

7 Mins read
Those who missed out on points in Australia reflect on their races, including Max Verstappen, who retired from a Grand Prix for the first time since the same event in 2022.