F1 News
Alfa Romeo already knows what role Bottas will play: 'He's perfect for that'
- GPblog.com
It was announced this morning that the Chinese Guanyu Zhou will drive at Alfa Romeo Racing next year alongside Valtteri Bottas. Alfa Romeo team boss Frédéric Vasseur told Motorsport.com more about his choices and vision for the future. He especially indicated that Bottas and his experience will play a big role.
The Italian team will have two new drivers next year, as Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi will both leave. Raikkonen had already indicated earlier in the season that he wanted to leave Formula 1 and this morning it was announced that Giovinazzi will no longer drive at the team. The team was ready for a change, partly due to the new regulations in 2022.
"Antonio has had three seasons with us, with alternating highs and lows, like everyone else. In the three seasons, he has been with us, Antonio has grown, but we are on the eve of a new cycle for Formula One, a new challenge launched by the new technical regulations, and given our perspective, if there is to be a change this is the right time," the team boss said.
The experience of Bottas will help Zhou
Bottas will be driving the Alfa Romeo next year and that was part of the reason why the team wanted Zhou alongside him. The technical changes will not make it easy for the rookies, but the presence of the experienced Finn can help.
"I think the minimum requirement to help Guanyu is to be able to count on the presence of an experienced teammate. Valtteri is perfect for this role, both in terms of the help he can give Zhou and the pointers he can give the team. He comes from a context of absolute value."