Veteran Raikkonen to remain with ‘second family’ Alfa Romeo

Finland’s former Formula One champion Kimi Raikkonen has been retained by the staff he calls his “second family” Alfa Romeo for subsequent season together with team-mate Antonio Giovinazzi.

Raikkonen, topped world champion in 2007 driving for Ferrari, will be capable to lengthen his document variety of Grand Prix begins which he set earlier this season.

The 41-year-old generally known as ‘The Iceman’ — who completed runner-up twice on this planet championship — will likely be competing in his 19th season on the highest stage.

Giovinazzi, 26, is Ferrari’s reserve driver they usually noticed sufficient of his capacity this season to present him one other marketing campaign — Ferrari management one of many Alfa seats.

The announcement comes a day after Alfa Romeo confirmed its industrial deal to model and again the Swiss-based staff that began its life in F1 as Sauber in 1993.

Raikkonen, who made his F1 debut with Sauber in 2001, earlier than transferring again to them in 2019 after a second stint with Ferrari, stated the staff was like a house from dwelling for him.

“It is more than a team to me; it is like a second family,” he stated.

“So many of the faces that were around me when I made my F1 debut in 2001 are still here and the unique atmosphere of this team is what gives me that extra motivation to keep going.

“This is a team that values hard work over words and this fits well with my style.”

Raikkonen, who’s 17th within the drivers’ standings with two factors this season, added he hoped he and Giovinazzi might transfer up a gear subsequent season and problem for extra factors.

Alfa Romeo stated the line-up highlighted the staff’s “commitment to continuity”.

“I still see the passion and motivation in Kimi every time I see him at work,” stated staff boss Frederic Vasseur.

“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 finished last year’s campaign strongly and he picked up where he left off and kept improving throughout 2020.”

Raikkonen and Giovinazzi will likely be searching for to repay the boldness positioned in them with an honest exhibiting at this weekend’s Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix at Imola.