Antonio Giovinazzi exit was a little chaotic but nothing the sport has never seen before. In a recent interview, Alfa Romeo boss Fred Vasseur shared his side of the decision. With Alfa Romeo looking forward to the new chapter of the 2022 season, the team’s move to Guanyu Zhou was part of that larger plan.
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Alfa Romeo’s line-up for 2022 has been dragged on for a long time. Although this fueled speculation, Vasseur explained the reason for the delay. “It’s no secret that the company was in talks with some investors and that would not have been a game changer, but it could have been a new situation and we postponed the decision a little … We would not have postponed it until the very end.” Formula -2 event … Then there were discussions with the investor and as a result we pushed the whole thing forward in a week. “
Formula 1 F1 – Qatar Grand Prix – Losail International Circuit, Lusail, Qatar – November 19, 2021 Alfa Romeo’s Antonio Giovinazzi in action during the REUTERS / Hamad I Mohammed practice
When it was time to show Gio the door, it wasn’t an awkward setting. “I was very clear and came straight to the point where I thanked Antonio for the three seasons we played together. Of course it was a bit up and down, but everyone, every single team has that and there are always ups and downs in cooperation. “
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Although Giovinazzi wasn’t happy with the decision, the team is hoping for a good relationship with the driver. “But I want to keep a positive image and a positive relationship with Antonio. We have to be professional. We’re in a small world where we might still work together … You don’t have to overreact, but I can understand that drivers can overreact. “
Why did Alfa Romeo choose Zhou?
The team has a level playing field with new rules waiting for them in 2022; Valtteri Bottas also confirmed the team. Therefore, they wanted to take full advantage of the opportunity presented to them.
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Vasseur said: “I think it’s a global decision because we have to start a new journey in Formula 1 and have to make a decision … The goal is performance. And the pillar of performance is based on the performance of the route, the driver, the technical collaboration, the technical relationships, the sheer relationships and the budget. If you put them all together, I think our decision was a good one. “
BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN – DECEMBER 04: Antonio Giovinazzi from Italy drives the (99) Alfa Romeo Racing C39 Ferrari during practice prior to the Sakhir F1 Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit on December 04, 2020 in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Photo by Bryn Lennon / Getty Images)
Zhou’s entry also brings additional benefits. “More sponsors have called in the last few weeks than in the past 25 years.”
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Although F1 sees the last of Antonio Giovinazzi and Kimi Räikkönen, the 2022 season brings Valtteri Bottas and Guanyu Zhou. There are only 2 races left in the 2021 season and the team is looking forward to a bright future.
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